Tech Herfrica, a social impact organization, has launched a $100,000 RuralMarket Fund designed to promote digital and financial inclusion among rural women entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
The initiative was officially introduced during the second edition of the PoliServe Dialogue, held at Kabusa Market in the Federal Capital Territory. According to Tech Herfrica’s Founder, Imade Bibiwei-Osuobeni, the fund builds on the achievements of the 2023 pilot phase, which recorded a 100 percent repayment rate.
Bibiwei-Osuobeni explained that the RuralMarket Fund is a non-interest revolving fund created to help rural women expand their businesses, improve customer reach, and strengthen financial resilience. “During the pilot phase, 70 percent of the beneficiaries recorded business growth and increased income levels,” she noted.
She added that the fund underscores Tech Herfrica’s commitment to bridging the gap between policy and practical implementation, ensuring that rural women entrepreneurs are not left behind in Africa’s sustainable development journey. “The RuralMarket Fund represents more than access to finance—it embodies empowerment. When rural women gain access to fair and inclusive funding, they not only grow their ventures but also uplift their communities and contribute to local economies,” she said.
The fund will operate on commercial management principles but will remain interest-free, with beneficiaries organized in clusters to receive financial literacy and business management training. This approach aims to ensure sustainability and accountability among participants.
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This year’s PoliServe Dialogue, coinciding with the 2025 International Day of Rural Women, carried the theme “Smart Business, Sustained Growth.” The event convened representatives from government institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations to deliberate on strategies for fostering inclusive economic development.
Panel discussions explored themes such as financial inclusion, digital innovation for business growth, mental health, and understanding new tax laws. Participants included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA), FCT-Internal Revenue Service, Guaranty Trust Bank, and several development partners.
Chairman of PoliServe Dialogue 2.0 and Founder of Hope Raisers Global Foundation, Angonimi David-Imeh, emphasized the importance of collaboration to sustain rural women’s entrepreneurship. “With the right partnerships and smart financing models, rural women can transition from survival to sustainable success. We’re not just supporting businesses; we’re nurturing legacies of resilience,” he stated.
The event was supported by a diverse range of partners, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, EFInA, GTBank, and FCT-IRS. Other collaborators included Hope Raisers Global Foundation, Prince 7 Youth Development Initiative, Rendra Foundation, Holyhill Relief Foundation, Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT), and YALI Network Abuja.
Also in attendance were representatives from Dutch and Doyenne, DeeBlissful Bakes, The Confident Woman, Radiant Futures, The Aziza Development Foundation, McDream Concepts, Faslearn, Orbeets Digi-Tech, Lexicon Media, and Laerryblue Media, all reaffirming their commitment to advancing economic empowerment for rural women across Nigeria.
