ADB Injects $500m to Empower Pakistani Women

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has joined the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code), a global initiative led by the World Bank and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). As part of the effort, ADB is providing $500 million in financing to Pakistan, with $350 million already committed through a loan agreement aimed at promoting women’s financial inclusion and economic participation.

This initiative brings together around 20 banks and financial institutions in Pakistan, all pledging support to improve access to credit and financial services for women. SBP’s efforts are already reshaping the sector, embedding gender inclusion into financial institutions’ operations.

ADB’s Christine Engstrom emphasized that financial inclusion is now a key driver of economic growth. She stated that enabling access to finance for over 2 million women could significantly narrow the gender gap.

SBP’s Abid Qamar noted that addressing this gap could boost Pakistan’s GDP by up to 30 percent. Meanwhile, the WE Finance Secretariat’s Wendy Teleki called it a $500 million opportunity, encouraging fintechs and equity funds to join. SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad described the launch as a strategic move to place women’s economic empowerment at the center of Pakistan’s development agenda.