Katsina Women Affinity Groups Mobilise Over ₦349m Savings in 18 Weeks

Katsina Women Affinity Groups Mobilise Over ₦349m Savings in 18 Weeks

Over 57,094 women participating in the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) in Katsina State have so far saved up to ₦349 million in 18 weeks.

The women groups are located in three Local Government Areas, namely Katsina, Daura and Funtua.

The Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) is a government initiative aimed at expanding economic opportunities and financial inclusion for women across the country.

The program’s core strategy involves building vibrant, bankable, women-led community institutions through the creation and federation of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs).

Its key components include establishing the affinity groups in villages and LGA levels, providing livelihood support, and facilitating access to financial services.

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda who visited Sabon Garin Kalgo-Gari in Daura Local Government Area where he interacted with beneficiaries and assessed the progress of the World Bank-supported initiative, expressed delight at the progress made by the women l

The inspection was conducted alongside the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) World Bank Task Team Leader, Mr. Michael Elesanmi, and the Federal Project Coordination Unit (FPCU) Technical Assistant, Mr. Uche.

In the course of the interaction with the State Project Coordination Unit (SPCU) on the progress and implementation of the project, the team was informed that 765 Women Affinity Groups each comprising 25 members are operating in Daura Local Government Area. This brings the total number of women to about 19,000.

Radda expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment demonstrated by the women, noting that they had successfully organised themselves into groups, mobilised savings and established transparent leadership structures.

“What we have seen today confirms that we are on the right path. These women have demonstrated commitment by organising themselves, saving collectively and supporting one another. Government will continue to build on this commitment by providing additional support,” he said.

He described the initiative as a transformative intervention capable of changing the economic fortunes of women across Katsina State.

“When a woman becomes economically independent, she supports her husband, ensures her children receive education, assists when family members are sick and contributes to feeding the household. Empowering women therefore means empowering families and the entire community,” he added.

Governor Radda explained that the project, implemented in partnership with the World Bank, received ₦4 billion counterpart funding from the Katsina State Government because of its enormous potential to transform lives.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to extending the programme beyond the three pilot Local Government Areas to cover all 34 Local Government Areas of the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, said the visit would motivate beneficiaries, strengthen community participation and reinforce the successful implementation of the programme across Katsina State.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Nigeria for Women Project, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed Yusuf, explained that the initiative is built on a structured community savings model designed to promote financial discipline, self-reliance and mutual support among women.