More than twenty thousand women entrepreneurs across Pakistan have secured over Rs24 billion in financing from commercial banks during the past year, according to newly released data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The central bank says this progress represents a meaningful step forward in expanding economic opportunities for women and strengthening long-term inclusion in the financial system.
The financing milestone comes at a time when Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape is witnessing increasing participation from women-led small and medium enterprises. SBP highlighted that its ongoing initiatives have helped build awareness, improve access to affordable credit, and create supportive pathways for women looking to launch or scale their businesses. These efforts form part of a broader national agenda aimed at unlocking economic potential across underserved segments.
As part of this push, the central bank organized more than fifty outreach sessions throughout the year. These engagements included SME Baithaks, targeted mentorship sessions, awareness workshops, and business development campaigns. Together, these programs directly connected with roughly fifteen hundred women entrepreneurs, giving them access to financial literacy resources, loan facilitation guidance, and business growth support.
Building on the success of these early interventions, SBP plans to expand the outreach to more than fifty districts in the coming months. Thousands of women entrepreneurs are expected to be engaged through these upcoming sessions, with a strong emphasis on helping them navigate banking channels, understand regulatory frameworks, and explore financing options suited to their business needs. Officials noted that the ultimate goal is to create a sustainable pipeline that equips women to not only enter the formal economy but to also thrive within it.
The central bank underscored that fostering an inclusive financial ecosystem remains a strategic priority. Women-led enterprises, it said, continue to show resilience and innovation despite facing structural challenges such as limited access to capital, skill gaps, and market barriers. SBP added that empowering women entrepreneurs contributes significantly to overall productivity, job creation, and long-term competitiveness within Pakistan’s business environment.
To recognize this momentum, SBP will commemorate Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day on December 3, 2025. Events will be held across sixteen SBP field offices, celebrating the contributions of women innovators, business owners, and job creators. Banks nationwide will also participate by organizing activities through December 5 to highlight success stories and reinforce the importance of supporting female entrepreneurship.
Officials remarked that the initiative aims to accelerate progress toward a more inclusive economic structure—one where women have easier access to financial tools, mentorship, and growth opportunities. By enabling women-led businesses to contribute more substantially to national economic development, SBP intends to strengthen long-term stability and unlock new avenues for sustainable growth.
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