A Government of Ghana initiative
Women's Development Microfinance Bank
Affordable finance and practical business support to help Ghanaian women grow their businesses.
What WDB offers
Finance
Low-interest loans, savings, insurance and pensions.
Support
Business, entrepreneurship and digital skills training.
Access
WDB branches, agents in your markets and local communities, and services on your phone.
These are planned services. Their details will be confirmed before WDB opens.
About us
A bank built for women in business
Women's Development Microfinance Bank (WDB) is being set up by the Government of Ghana to give women in business the money and the support they need to grow and prosper.
To empower Ghanaian women entrepreneurs and traders by offering affordable financial services together with training and business support, so that their businesses can grow and last.
Why WDB is needed
Most banking products are designed for formal businesses in towns and cities. Many women entrepreneurs and traders in informal markets are left out because their income is irregular, they have limited access to digital services, or they receive little business support.
WDB is a dedicated microfinance bank created to close the gaps in finance and business support that women face.
Read about WDB
What WDB plans to offer
Finance, protection and skills in one place
WDB intends to offer a full package, not just credit. The services below are planned offerings and will be confirmed before WDB opens.
- 01
Affordable loans
Low-interest loans to start or grow a business.
- 02
Savings
Safe, simple savings in amounts that suit irregular incomes.
- 03
Other financial services
Working with partners on equity funding and partial risk guarantees, so businesses can scale up without taking on heavy debt.
- 04
Business and digital training
Practical skills to manage a business and use digital tools.
- 05
Growth opportunities
Business support services across the country.
Are loans interest-free?
No. Rates are intended to be low, which keeps the bank sustainable so it can reach more women over time.
Who we serve
Women who have traditionally been left out of banking
WDB's focus is women entrepreneurs and traders whose businesses are real, active and often overlooked by formal finance.
Market women
Traders in markets in towns and communities across Ghana.
Informal traders
Women running businesses that are not formally registered.
Farmers and fisherwomen
Women farming small plots of land, and women in fishing communities in rural areas.
Registered small businesses
Women-owned small firms that have struggled to get bank services.
WDB welcomes businesses owned by both women and men. When it comes to providing support, priority will be given to women-owned businesses.
How we reach women
Banking that comes to them
A trader cannot close her stall for half a day to travel to a bank. WDB plans to bring its services to where women work and live.
Branches and agents
In addition to WDB branches, agents in local communities and markets are planned to provide door-to-door registration and ongoing support.
Mobile app and USSD
Planned self-registration on a mobile app, or by dialling a short code on any phone with no internet. Designed to work with mobile money.
GEA centres
WDB agents are planned for Ghana Enterprises Agency offices that already support small businesses.
District assemblies
WDB agents are planned for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to provide local access points.
A new way to lend
No bank records or property? Women can still be considered
WDB plans to use everyday information to judge whether a borrower can repay, instead of relying only on bank statements and land titles.
Every loan will still be assessed. This approach widens the evidence WDB can consider; it does not guarantee approval.
Understand the approachWhat WDB plans to look at
- Mobile money history
- Buying and selling patterns
- Utility bill payments
- Ghana Card details
- Membership of savings or business groups
Social collateral
Where needed, guarantees from fellow group members and endorsements from market leaders may take the place of physical security. This builds on trust that already exists in markets and communities.
More than finance
Skills and support that help a business last
Finance works best alongside knowledge. WDB intends to pair its financial services with practical business development support.
Business development
Entrepreneurship and business management training, with help to develop bankable business plans.
Digital skills
Practical help to use mobile banking, digital payments and other digital tools with confidence.
Financial literacy
Clear, practical guidance on saving, borrowing and repayment.
Nationwide access
From set-up to all 16 regions
WDB plans to start with its head office, agents, partner institutions and mobile channels, then widen its network until women in every region of Ghana can reach it.
Now
Final preparations
Regulatory and operational set-up is progressing.
2027
WDB expected to open
Services are planned to start through the head office branch, agents, partner institutions and mobile platform.
Following years
All 16 regions
Nationwide reach across Ghana. The timeline will be confirmed by WDB.
Longer term
Independent bank
Growing beyond start-up partnerships to set up its own branches nationwide.
Impact pathway
From finance, skills and outreach to lasting gains
WDB's activities are designed to lead, step by step, to stronger businesses and greater economic power for women. These are intended outcomes, not results already achieved.
- 01
Financial access
Affordable loans, savings and other financial services for women-owned enterprises.
- 02
Capacity building
Financial literacy, business and entrepreneurship training, networking and mentoring.
- 03
Digital and market access
Mobile banking, digital payments and links to value chains.
- 04
Outreach and voice
Community sensitisation, women's groups and gender-responsive policy advocacy.
Long-term goal
Women's economic empowerment
Working together
WDB cannot succeed alone
Reaching every woman entrepreneur and trader will take many hands. There is a part to play for assemblies, agencies, investors, market leaders and community voices.
- 01
Host access points
Assemblies and agencies can help WDB reach women in every district.
- 02
Co-fund and invest
Development partners and investors can help diversify and strengthen WDB's finances.
- 03
Mobilise and inform
Market leaders, women's groups, community leaders and the media can spread accurate information.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is WDB?
Women's Development Microfinance Bank (WDB) is a Government of Ghana initiative. It is being set up as a dedicated microfinance bank to give women entrepreneurs and traders affordable finance, together with practical support to grow their businesses.
Who is WDB designed to serve?
WDB is designed for women who have traditionally been left out of banking: market women, informal traders, rural smallholder women farmers, women in fishing communities, and women-owned registered small businesses. Businesses owned by both women and men are welcome, but priority for support will be given to women-owned businesses.
Are WDB loans interest-free?
No. WDB's loans are intended to carry low interest rates, made possible by government and partner support. Charging a fair, low rate keeps the bank sustainable so it can keep serving more women. Rates have not yet been published.
Can women without traditional collateral apply?
That is the intention. WDB plans to assess borrowers using everyday information such as mobile money history, buying and selling patterns, utility bill payments, Ghana Card details and membership of savings or business groups. Where needed, guarantees from fellow group members and endorsements from market leaders may take the place of physical security. Every application will still be assessed, and approval is not guaranteed. See how it works.
When is WDB expected to begin operations?
WDB expects to begin operations in 2027. Regulatory and operational set-up is progressing. This website will be updated when a launch date is confirmed.
Help WDB reach every woman entrepreneur and trader
Whether you represent an institution, a market association or a community, we would like to hear from you.
