The State Bank of Pakistan has launched implementation of the Women Entrepreneurship Finance (WE-FI) Code, using an inaugural consultative workshop to begin developing a national action plan aimed at reducing financing barriers for women-led businesses. SBP adopted the WE-Finance Code on 7 July 2025 and is acting as Pakistan’s lead implementing agency, mobilising a coalition of 23 financial institutions, alongside the Pakistan Banks Association. A two-day SBP and Asian Development Bank workshop in Islamabad brought together signatory banks, regulators and development partners to agree actionable steps on gender-intelligent product innovation, improved data collection and reporting, and credit appraisal practices tailored to women-led enterprises. The programme also covered market segmentation and portfolio strategies for women customers, enhancements to lending products for women-led MSMEs, upgrades to data and reporting frameworks, and implementation through a WE-Finance Code Charter. Ahead of the workshop, SBP and ADB conducted a roadshow with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority to strengthen inter-agency coordination and expand the supporting coalition.
State Bank of Pakistan 2026-01-16
State Bank of Pakistan kicks off WE-Finance Code implementation with a 23-institution coalition and ADB-backed action plan workshop
The State Bank of Pakistan has initiated the implementation of the Women Entrepreneurship Finance (WE-FI) Code, aiming to reduce financing barriers for women-led businesses through a national action plan. A workshop with the Asian Development Bank and other stakeholders focused on gender-intelligent product innovation, data collection, and credit practices tailored to women-led enterprises.