SBP launches WE-Finance Code with 23 banks

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting women entrepreneurship and improving women's access to finance through the adoption of the Women Entrepreneurship Finance (WE-FI) Code.

Addressing the inaugural Women Entrepreneurship Finance Code Consultative Workshop, Deputy Governor SBP Saleem Ullah said the central bank was building pathways to ensure women entrepreneurs could fully participate in and contribute to Pakistan's economic growth. According to an official statement issued on Friday, he said the initiative aligned with SBP's Strategic Plan 2028, which aims to support an inclusive and sustainable financial system.

The deputy governor highlighted SBP's ongoing efforts to advance women's financial inclusion through the Banking on Equality Policy and various digital initiatives. He noted that although access to financial services has improved, structural barriers continue to restrict women entrepreneurs' ability to obtain formal credit. In this context, he said the WE-Finance Code offered a practical and actionable framework.

The WE-Finance Code was adopted by SBP on July 7, 2025, to address financial constraints faced by women-led businesses. As the lead implementing agency, SBP has mobilised a coalition of 23 financial institutions, including conventional, Islamic and microfinance banks, along with the Pakistan Banks Association, under the Code's action-oriented framework.

To launch the implementation of the WE-Finance Code, SBP, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organised a two-day workshop in Islamabad. The event brought together signatory banks, regulators and development partners to formulate a national action plan.