Northern Nigeria is witnessing a quiet revolution as women increasingly turn to entrepreneurship to redefine traditional roles and assert economic agency. Despite systemic barriers, socio-cultural norms, and religious constraints, these women are carving out spaces for themselves in various industries, from agriculture and textiles to technology and renewable energy
However, against all odds, a new wave of women entrepreneurs in the northern regions are breaking barriers and proving that success in male-dominated industries is not about gender but about skill, resilience, and innovation. From technology and manufacturing to construction and finance, they are making significant strides and reshaping industries once considered out of reach for them.
The Gender Funding Gap: A Reality Check
Women-led businesses in Africa remain grossly underfunded compared to their male counterparts. According to Africa: The Big Deal, women-led ventures in Africa raised only $200 million in 2023, despite a 7% year-on-year growth. In contrast, male-led ventures raised $2.7 billion — 13 times more than their female counterparts.
Nigeria continues to lead in venture capital deal activity across Africa, capturing 19% of total deal volume. However, most funding is concentrated in Lagos and Abuja, leaving Northern Nigeria significantly underserved. As a result, women entrepreneurs in the region face a dual burden — financial exclusion coupled with systemic neglect.
Yet, despite these disparities, they are thriving in agribusiness, providing employment and economic opportunities to rural women. This shows that, with the right support and financial models, women entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria can drive economic growth and innovation.
Challenges Facing Female Entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria
The report identifies three major barriers limiting access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria:
1. Socio-Cultural Barriers
- Restricted Economic Agency: Traditional gender norms confine women to small-scale businesses such as agriculture, tailoring, and food processing. These businesses receive significantly less investment than high-growth sectors like technology and manufacturing.
- Limited Decision-Making Power: Many women are excluded from household financial decisions and business choices, limiting their access to credit.
- Land Ownership Restrictions: Since land is often required as collateral for loans, women …who rarely own property are at a disadvantage when seeking formal funding.
Entrepreneurs like Rahama Sadau, founder of Sadau Beauty, have challenged these norms by building successful businesses in industries such as cosmetics and entertainment. Her journey proves that financial independence can be a powerful tool for breaking traditional gender barriers.
2. Religious Constraints
- Riba (Interest) Restrictions: Many Northern Nigerian women avoid conventional loans due to the Islamic prohibition on interest-based transactions.
- Limited Awareness of Islamic Financing Alternatives: Many women do not know about Shari’ah-compliant financial products like Murabaha (cost-plus financing) and Musharaka (equity partnerships), which could provide ethical alternatives
Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, a leading healthcare entrepreneur and advocate for women’s financial inclusion, emphasizes the need for greater awareness of Islamic financing as a means to unlock capital for female entrepreneurs.
3. Institutional Barriers
- High-Risk Perception: Financial institutions often categorize women-led businesses in traditional sectors as high-risk, resulting in lower approval rates for funding applications. Only 4% of surveyed female entrepreneurs have accessed external financing beyond grants.
- Knowledge Gaps: Over 80% of female entrepreneurs lack awareness of critical financial concepts like credit scoring and crowdfunding, further restricting their ability to secure funding.
Despite these challenges, Aisha Umaru, founder of i-Teso Tech, has successfully secured funding to train hundreds of women in tech skills, proving that financial institutions must rethink their approach to investing in women-led businesses.
Innovative Financing Models for Women Entrepreneurs
To overcome the financial exclusion faced by women in Northern Nigeria, tailored financing models are necessary. The following approaches provide viable solutions:
1. Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) — A Community-Based Solution
SACCOs operate on principles of collective savings and lending, providing women with financial security and access to capital without the need for collateral.
The Adashe Model in Northern Nigeria:
The Adashe system — a communal savings system — serves as a culturally grounded solution, providing bulk payments for business startups. Entrepreneurs like Binta Rabiu, founder of Binta’s Foods, have used Adashe payouts to launch and grow successful food processing businesses.
Strengthening SACCOs can:
- Provide women with structured and sustainable financial support.
- Reduce dependence on informal lending networks.
- Enhance financial literacy and discipline.
However, scaling SACCOs into formal financial institutions would require government and private sector intervention.
2. Shari’ah-Compliant Financing — A Religious and Ethical Alternative
For many women in Northern Nigeria, Islamic finance provides a culturally appropriate way to access funding. Two key models include:
Murabaha (Cost-Plus Financing)
- The bank purchases goods and sells them to entrepreneurs at a pre-agreed profit margin.
- This model is particularly useful for inventory financing in trade and agriculture.
Musharaka (Equity Partnerships)
- Entrepreneurs and financial institutions jointly invest in a business and share profits.
- This model provides flexibility for women-led businesses that need working capital.
Sabou Capital, led by Surayyah Ahmad, is a pioneer in providing equity financing to SMEs in Northern Nigeria. By expanding Shari’ah-compliant financial products, more women can access the funding they need.
3. Results-Based Financing (RBF) — Performance-Driven Funding
RBF links funding to measurable business outcomes, reducing reliance on traditional collateral-based lending.
- Entrepreneurs receive financing based on achieving revenue growth, job creation, or production milestones.
- Donor-backed RBF initiatives have already been trialed in agriculture and clean energy.
For example, Maryam Bashir’s agribusiness, Zafaar Agrotech, has leveraged performance-based grants to provide improved agricultural inputs to women farmers.
Scaling RBF initiatives across sectors such as agriculture, tech, and renewable energy could provide long-term funding solutions for women entrepreneurs.
Let’s talk about Trailblazing Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders in Northern Nigeria
1. Surayyah Ahmad — General Partner, Sabou Capital
Surayyah Ahmad is an investment leader focused on funding and scaling women-led businesses in Northern Nigeria. As the General Partner at Sabou Capital, she works to provide early-stage financing to startups, particularly those led by women, promoting economic empowerment in the region.
2. Rahama Sadau — Founder, Sadau Beauty
Rahama Sadau is not only a celebrated Kannywood actress but also a thriving entrepreneur. She owns Sadau Beauty, a cosmetics brand that caters to the Northern market. She has been an advocate for women’s empowerment, using her platform to encourage young women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
3. Dr. Hadiza Galadanci — Healthcare Innovator
Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Bayero University, is at the forefront of maternal health innovation in Northern Nigeria. She has founded multiple initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access for women in underserved communities.
4. Aisha Augie — Creative Entrepreneur & Filmmaker
Aisha Augie is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and entrepreneur from Kebbi State. Through her work, she highlights Northern Nigerian culture, gender equity, and economic empowerment. She has also been a strong voice for women in the creative industry.
5. Binta Rabiu — Founder, Binta’s Foods
Binta Rabiu, from Sokoto, runs Binta’s Foods, a fast-growing food processing company. She has successfully scaled her business from a home-based operation to a fully functional food processing company, creating jobs for women in the region.
6. Fatima Buba — Founder, Northern Womenpreneurs Network
Fatima Buba is the founder of Northern Womenpreneurs Network, a platform that supports and mentors aspiring women entrepreneurs. She has helped women gain access to funding, training, and networking opportunities to grow their businesses.
WOMEN IN TECH
1. Aisha Umaru — Founder, i-Teso Tech
Aisha Umaru is the founder of i-Teso Tech, a Kano-based technology hub that trains young women in software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Through her organization, she has empowered hundreds of Northern Nigerian women with digital skills, helping them secure jobs in tech-driven industries.
2. Amina Sambo Magaji — Founder, She & Tech Initiative
Amina Sambo Magaji is a seasoned technocrat, tech policy developer, and senior startup advisor with over 21 years of experience in the IT and innovation ecosystem. She has played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s startup landscape, designing and implementing programs that have impacted over 50,000 entrepreneurs. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with global industry leaders and policymakers to develop policies that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. She continues to push the boundaries of AI research, mentor the next generation of tech professionals, and champion digital literacy.
3. Amina Ahmad K.U Nagogo — Founder, Datharm
Amina Ahmad K.U Nagogo is a social-tech entrepreneur, software engineer, and CEO of Datharm, a company focused on data-driven solutions for public health and education. She collaborates with government agencies to enhance healthcare service delivery for women and children in underserved communities through technology.
With a Master’s in Management from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, Amina has successfully led projects across multiple countries, including Finland, the UK, Malaysia, Korea, and Indonesia.
She was instrumental in developing the Vaccine Logistic Management System (LoMIS) for rural Nigeria and played a key role in the quality assurance of Sense Ebola App, an award-winning software designed to monitor and contain the Ebola outbreak.
4. Maryam Lawan Gwadabe — Founder, Blue Sapphire Hub
Maryam Lawan Gwadabe is a passionate entrepreneur and digital technology advocate committed to leveraging innovation to improve livelihoods and businesses. She is dedicated to breaking social, age, and gender stereotypes by providing platforms for tech engagement and skill development.
She is the founder of Blue Sapphire Hub, which offers capacity-building programs, startup support, and a software development lab to help individuals realize their potential.
Recognized for her impact, she has been featured as a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 Alumni (2020) and an Outstanding Woman in Tech by the United Nations. She is also an IVLP Alumni (2021) and a recipient of the Association of Nigeria Leadership Awards (2022).
A serial entrepreneur, she has founded Aikeni Delivery Service, Fun Hub (a toy and accessories brand), and serves as a director at Seed Project Co. Ltd.
5. Aisha O. Tofa — Founder, Startup Kano Hub
Aisha O. Tofa is a Social Impact and Development Specialist with a decade of experience in promoting the African innovation ecosystem. She is dedicated to building and nurturing startups and entrepreneurs through incubation, acceleration, and funding systems.
A strong advocate for gender and financial inclusion, Aisha supports women in building, managing, and multiplying wealth. Her contributions to technology and gender equality have earned her recognition, including the United Nations 2023 Feature Award — DigitALL Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.
6. Amal Hassan — Founder, Outsource Global
Amal Hassan is a prominent Nigerian technopreneur and the Founder of Outsource Global, a leading contact center BPO with offices in Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna.
In 2003, she established the first organized ICT training institute in Kano, focusing on empowering young Nigerians, especially women. Her passion for using technology to drive innovation and create employment led to the founding of Outsource Global in 2013. Under her leadership, the company has created over 5,500 jobs and positioned Nigeria on the global map for business process outsourcing.
Amal is recognized for her entrepreneurial skills, leadership, and commitment to mentoring young leaders, especially women in Northern Nigeria. She actively participates in local and international business missions, conferences, and professional courses, reinforcing her role as an influential business leader.
7. Hadiyyah L. — Co-Founder, Path4Her
Hadiyyah L. is a tech entrepreneur passionate about improving healthcare delivery systems in Africa through technology. With a background as a Systems Analyst, she specializes in building automated, user-centric solutions that transition healthcare from traditional file-based systems to paperless, efficient processes, enhancing patient experiences and ensuring better confidentiality.
She is also the founder of Path4Her, an initiative dedicated to empowering women to pivot into the tech industry — especially in the no-code/low-code space. Through this platform, Hadiyyah and her team provide resources, mentorship, and a supportive community to foster gender inclusiveness and guide women through their tech journeys.
Her work bridges the gap in healthcare access while fostering innovation and inclusion in the tech ecosystem.
Policy Recommendations for Financial Inclusion
To unlock the economic potential of women-led businesses in Northern Nigeria, policymakers, financial institutions, and investors must take a proactive approach:
- Expand SACCOs and Community Lending Models: Strengthen and formalize Adashe to improve financial security.
- Promote Shari’ah-Compliant Financial Products: Increase awareness and accessibility of Murabaha and Musharaka financing.
- Encourage Private Sector Investment in Women-Led Businesses: Provide incentives for investors to fund female entrepreneurs.
- Leverage Technology for Financial Inclusion: Digital lending platforms can provide microloans tailored to women in informal businesses.
The future of women entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria is promising but requires collective effort from the government, financial institutions, and society. If women continue to receive the necessary support, education, and investment, they can reshape the economic landscape of the region.
By scaling innovative financing models, we can unlock the untapped potential of women entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria, creating a more inclusive and prosperous economy.
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