Services
Finance, protection and skills in one place
WDB intends to offer a full package of financial services and business support for women entrepreneurs and traders, not just credit.
Planned services
These are planned services
WDB has not yet opened and is expected to begin operations in 2027. The services described here are planned offerings. Their final details and availability will be confirmed by WDB. You cannot apply for a service through this website.
- 01Planned service
Affordable loans
Low-interest financing to help women start, maintain or grow their businesses.
WDB's loans are intended to carry low interest rates, made possible by government and partner support. Borrowers will be assessed in ways that reflect how their businesses really work.
- For starting, sustaining or expanding a business
- Assessment that can consider everyday information, not only bank records
- Social collateral may be considered where physical security is not available
- 02Planned service
Savings
Safe, simple savings in amounts that suit irregular and seasonal incomes.
Many traders and farmers earn daily or seasonally. WDB's savings options are being designed with those realities in mind, so that saving is possible in small and uneven amounts.
- Designed for daily, weekly or seasonal earnings
- Simple to understand and use
- Intended to work alongside mobile money
- 03Planned, with partners
Other financial services
Access to equity funding and partial risk guarantees, facilitated with partners.
WDB intends to work with partners to help women's businesses access equity funding and partial risk guarantees. The aim is to help businesses scale up without relying entirely on debt.
- Equity funding facilitated through partners
- Partial risk guarantees to support growth
- An alternative to taking on heavy debt
- 04Subject to confirmed product arrangements
Micro-insurance and pensions
Financial protection for women and their families.
WDB's briefing describes micro-insurance and pensions as part of its intended package, to protect women and their families. Availability depends on product arrangements that are yet to be confirmed. Please contact WDB for updates.
- Protection against setbacks
- Longer-term security
- Details to be confirmed by WDB
- 05Planned service
Business and digital training
Practical skills to manage a business and use digital tools.
WDB plans to offer practical training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business management, together with help to use digital tools such as mobile banking and digital payments.
- Entrepreneurship and business management
- Financial literacy
- Using mobile banking and digital payments
- 06Planned service
Growth and business support
Business support services across the country.
Beyond training, WDB's plans include wider growth opportunities: networking, mentoring and links to buyers, cooperatives and value chains, delivered through business support services across the country.
- Networking and mentoring
- Links to buyers, cooperatives and wider markets
- Business support services nationwide
Important to know
WDB loans are low-interest, not interest-free
WDB's loans are intended to carry low interest rates. They will not be zero-interest. Charging a fair, low rate keeps the bank financially healthy, so that it can keep serving more women year after year.
Rates, limits and terms
WDB has not yet published interest rates, loan amounts, repayment periods, fees or eligibility rules. These will be announced by WDB once its products are confirmed. Be cautious of anyone who claims to offer WDB products or asks for payment on WDB's behalf before then.
Questions about WDB's planned services?
Contact the WDB team for the latest information.
