Accra, June 17, GNA – Financial and philanthropic leaders have called for inclusive fintech solutions and policy reforms to close the digital and financial divide—particularly for rural women entrepreneurs.
They emphasised the need for rigorous tracking of remittance impacts on women and the development of gender-responsive investment mechanisms.
They made the call during a Regional Conference on ‘Sustainable Philanthropy and Remittances for Gender Equality’ held in Dakar, Senegal.
Co-hosted by UN Women and the Ford Foundation, the forum brought together over 150 thought leaders from philanthropy, finance, government, technology, and civil society.
In a release copied to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Maxime Houinato, UN Women Regional Director for West and Central Africa, encouraged African countries to “move from remittances to resilience.”
“We must shift from viewing remittances and philanthropy as acts of charity to seeing them as strategic levers for inclusive, sustainable change.
“Let’s stop designing systems around those who already have access, and start building for women who are off the grid yet hold entire families together…We too must build permanent bridges between the continent and its diaspora,” he stated.
The conference, among other things, examined how to align Africa’s diverse funding streams with the urgency of empowering women and girls.
Participants shared examples of how remittances could unlock opportunity when recognised as “intentional, long-term investments rather than one-off transfers.”
Dr. Catherine Chi-Chi Aniagolu, Ford Foundation Regional Director for West Africa stated: “This is not about aid; It is about shifting power and building systems…We must build a new architecture of giving—one that centers African women’s voices and leadership.”
Other participants advocated for structured partnerships among diaspora networks, local civil society, and public institutions.
Mr. Kofi Appenteng, President of the African American Institute, noted that African women and girls should not just be beneficiaries, but seen as “architects of their own futures.”
“Remittances are a quiet, perhaps surprising, success story…But any effort to scale them must stay grounded in the voices and needs of those sending and receiving—not just our theories of change,” he said.
The conference highlighted the importance of developing the right financial products and enabling environment.
Mr. Paul-Harry Aithnard, Ecobank Group Regional Director, said “Sending money home must go beyond consumption. With the right policies and investment products, diaspora capital can become a strategic engine for development.”
Foundations and financial institutions described how their funding models were evolving to embrace “inclusive, feminist, and locally rooted approaches.”
“When we launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation Grant in 2015, most applicants were men. Today, 45 percent of our grantees are women. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where women can thrive and lead,” Oniye Okolo, Policy and Partnerships Officer, stated.
“In all our advocacy and outreach activities, we strive to put women and girls first and address the funding gap and mentorship needs of women entrepreneurs, including those in the informal sector,” Ecobank Foundation CEO, Elisa Desbordes, added.
Ms. Ndeye Amy Ngom Seck, speaking on behalf of the Central Bank of West African States, highlighted strategies targeted at women.
“When women thrive, everyone benefits. That’s why our financial inclusion strategy puts women at the center—not just as beneficiaries, but as drivers of economic transformation…Reallocating even a portion of diaspora remittances toward their empowerment could be truly transformational,” she noted.
From maternal health to green entrepreneurship, the conference showcased how strategically aligned remittances and philanthropy could drive sustainable change.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Saxkey