Pakistan offers an encouraging example of how countries can begin aligning the WE Finance Code with existing policy frameworks-even without direct We-Fi funding. The country’s implementing partners are starting to engage with the Code’s tools, peer learning opportunities, and global network to deepen their focus on women entrepreneurs.
Building on the State Bank of Pakistan’s innovative Banking on Equality policy – which has already advanced financial inclusion by addressing women as employees and consumers in the financial sector – the WE Finance Code is now helping to extend this momentum to women-led businesses. Through the Code, financial service providers are encouraged to explore ways to set internal targets, sex-disaggregated data, and adapt products to better meet the needs of women entrepreneurs.
Although external funding is limited, Early signs of integration with global movement of WE Finance Code into partner operations reflects Pakistan’s strong institutional commitment and alignment with national priorities. By engaging with the Code, partners are taking initial steps to encourage leadership to boost WMSME financing, complement regulatory efforts to improve facilitation for women borrowers, and strengthen their capacity to act on sex-disaggregated data related to women-led SMEs.
Pakistan’s early experience illustrates the potential of policy alignment and global knowledge-sharing to catalyze inclusive finance efforts. It offers useful insights for other countries that are exploring how to build on existing frameworks to better serve women entrepreneurs.
