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Economic growth

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan: SBP's Initiatives for Inclusive Growth

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Governor Jameel Ahmad of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has emphasized the crucial role women entrepreneurs play in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries. Speaking at the 'Capital to Scale: Women Entrepreneurs as Job Creators' session during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group, Governor Ahmad highlighted Pakistan's forward-looking policy reforms aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and advancing gender-inclusive economic growth. SBP's flagship policy, Banking on Equality, has been instrumental in narrowing the gender gap in financial inclusion, resulting in a significant increase in active bank accounts held by women and a decline in the gender gap in financial inclusion.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SBP's Banking on Equality policy has led to a significant increase in active bank accounts held by women, rising from 20 million in September 2021 to 37 million in June 2025.
  • The gender gap in financial inclusion has declined from 39 per cent to 30 per cent since the policy's launch.
  • Financing for women has grown substantially, with female microfinance bank borrowers increasing by over 200 per cent and women's SME and agricultural financing portfolios doubling during the past three years.
  • Over 14,600 women have been inducted into the workforce by banks as a result of these initiatives.
  • The second phase of the Banking on Equality Policy will integrate digital solutions, business profiling, and remote financing channels to support women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
  • SBP has committed to the WE-Finance Code, an initiative aimed at reducing gender gaps in MSME financing, alongside 22 banks.

Statistics:

  • Active bank accounts held by women: 20 million (September 2021) - 37 million (June 2025)
  • Gender gap in financial inclusion: from 39 per cent to 30 per cent (since September 2021)
  • Female microfinance bank borrowers: over 200 per cent increase
  • Women's SME and agricultural financing portfolios: doubled during the past three years
  • Women inducted into the workforce by banks: over 14,600

Sources:

  • Governor Jameel Ahmad's speech at the 'Capital to Scale: Women Entrepreneurs as Job Creators' session during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group
  • World Bank Group's 2025 Annual Meetings

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