PalmPay has launched a new financial empowerment initiative targeting 5,000 women-led microbusinesses in Northern Nigeria as part of its broader strategy to deepen financial inclusion and promote gender equity at the grassroots level.
The initiative, titled “Passing the Baton,” provides comprehensive financial literacy training, micro-business branding support, free health insurance and access to business enhancement tools for selected women entrepreneurs.
PalmPay said the program is structured to equip beneficiaries with practical knowledge and tools to improve financial management, business visibility and operational sustainability.
Speaking on the launch, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay, said the initiative underscores the company’s commitment to empowering underserved communities through targeted interventions.
“At PalmPay, we believe that real financial inclusion must be far-reaching and cover the grassroots. Supporting women-led businesses in the North is a strategic step toward bridging the opportunity gap and enhancing community-based economic development,” Nwosu stated.
PalmPay said the Passing the Baton program will also include hands-on training workshops, enhanced store branding for visibility, and distribution of branded merchandise to strengthen the public profile of the participating businesses.
The initiative is part of PalmPay’s long-term vision to increase its footprint in Northern Nigeria while building sustainable partnerships with local stakeholders. The company noted that strategic collaboration with traditional and regional institutions is critical to achieving inclusive digital financial growth.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who lent his support to the program, urged other private-sector players and development agencies to collaborate with PalmPay in expanding the digital economy in Northern Nigeria. “Financial inclusion is essential for economic empowerment. We welcome initiatives like PalmPay’s and encourage others to take similar steps to support growth in the region,” he said.
As of the time of this report, the company has commenced onboarding the first set of beneficiaries, with training sessions expected to run in phases over the coming months. According to PalmPay, the initiative is designed as a replicable model that could be scaled across other northern states to widen its impact on economic independence and digital participation.
The program comes at a time when financial inclusion efforts in Nigeria are gaining renewed attention, particularly in underbanked and rural regions. Industry data continues to show significant gaps in access to financial services for women in northern Nigeria, a challenge further compounded by limited digital infrastructure and income disparity.
PalmPay’s approach aligns with broader financial sector trends focused on leveraging fintech solutions to reach traditionally excluded populations. The company, which recently announced new investments to expand its agent network and mobile money offerings, sees grassroots engagement as essential for long-term market growth and national economic resilience.
By focusing on small business development and gender-targeted training, PalmPay aims to contribute to national goals on inclusion, job creation, and regional development. The initiative also supports the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy, which targets 95% adult inclusion by 2025.
PalmPay reaffirmed that Passing the Baton is not a one-off program but part of a series of community-based initiatives that will continue to roll out in phases in line with the company’s mission to provide accessible and affordable financial services to all Nigerians.
