In Partnership:

Sunday, December 8th  | Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca Marriott Hotel

100 Av. des FAR, Casablanca 20000, Morocco

RSVP TO ATTEND

Background:

The Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code, or the Code) is a global framework that bridges the gender finance gap by helping financial institutions and regulators empower champions, improve data and spur action to get more financing to women. The Code is a commitment by financial service providers, regulators, development banks, and other financial ecosystem players to work together to increase funding provided to women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) around the world, so that they can grow and add value to the economy and their communities.

Since its launch in 2023 at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco, over a dozen countries have joined the Code by launching national pilots, and organizations such as UN Women, Standard Chartered, CARE, and BBVA Microfinance Foundation have also joined the Code as global signatories. As the initiative continues to gain momentum, the WE Finance Code Forum will offer a unique platform for pilot countries, champions, implementing partners, and private sector representatives to share knowledge, collaborate, and set the direction for expanding the WE Finance Code globally.

Taking place in Casablanca, Morocco, alongside the African Financial Institutions Summit (AFIS) and AfDB’s Africa Investment Forum, this half-day event will feature insightful presentations, engaging panels, and interactive sessions to strengthen the WE Finance Code community and explore pathways for scaling the initiative.

Sunday, December 8th, 2024

9:30AM-11:00AM: Women Leaders’ Brunch (invitation only)

This exclusive brunch will highlight the critical role of women’s leadership in finance. It will also celebrate the role of female champions in implementing and advocating for the WE Finance Code.

11:30AM – 11:50AM: Opening Remarks

  • Nathalie Gabala, Director of Gender and Economic Inclusion, IFC

11:50AM – 12:00PM: Context Setting

  • Video Message: Alison Rose, Senior Advisor, Charterhouse Capital Partners
  • Wendy Teleki, Head, Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi): Overview of the WE Finance Code

12:00PM – 1:00PM: Panel Discussion – Building Momentum in National Coalitions

This panel will feature representatives from Code pilot countries showcasing how national coalitions—composed of financial institutions, regulators, and private sector actors—are coming together to implement and scale the WE Finance Code. Panelists include central bank and public sector representatives from WE Finance Code pilot countries.

  • Moderator: Etienne Sannicolo, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, Task Team leader for the Madagascar Code, World Bank
  • Temitope Akin-Fadeyi, Assistant Director, Development Finance Department, Central Bank of Nigeria
  • Khaled Bassiouny, General Manager, Financial Inclusion Department, Central Bank of Egypt
  • Vivianne Laura dos Santos Saraiva, Bank of Mozambique

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Lunch Break

2:00PM – 3:30PM: The WE Finance Code Toolkit Deep Dives

This session will include presentations of various aspects of the WE Finance Code Toolkit, followed by table breakouts to discuss each tool in smaller groups.  Each participant will be able to rotate to 2-3 tables during the discussion period to collaboratively explore how the WE Finance Code can be effectively implemented to advance women’s financial inclusion. The informal setting fosters open dialogue, encouraging everyone to contribute their expertise and experiences to drive meaningful progress.

  • Wendy Teleki, Head, We-Fi Secretariat: WE Finance Code Charter
  • Video message from McKinsey: Findings from demand-side data study
  • Inez Murray, CEO, Financial Alliance for Women: Fostering a strong Community of Champions and encouraging peer learning
  • Temitope Akin-Fadeyi, Assistant Director, Development Finance Department, Central Bank of Nigeria: Leveraging analytics and data
  • Miriam Koreen, Senior Counsellor on SMEs, OECD: Global data aggregation – challenges and opportunities
  • Naomi Kirungu, Lead Partnerships – SME, African Management Institute: Designing and implementing training for women entrepreneurs

3:30PM-4:00PM: Coffee Break

4:00PM – 5:00PM: Panel discussion – Financial Innovation as a Catalyst for Women’s Financial Inclusion

This panel will discuss how the private sector can drive financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs by offering innovative products and services tailored to their needs. It will also explore how the WE Finance Code can be expanded to include funds, fintechs, and other players in the financial ecosystem to ensure more inclusive financing solutions for women entrepreneurs.

  • Moderator: Inez Murray, CEO, Financial Alliance for Women
  • Mamoun Tahri Joutei, Central Director, Business Intelligence & Sustainability, Bank of Africa
  • Esselina Macome, Chair, Standard Bank Mozambique and CEO of FSD Mozambique
  • Hanta Rakotovao, Director of SME Development Platform, BNI Madagascar
  • Weselina Angelow, Program Director, World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI-ESBG)

5:00PM – 5:30PM: Closing Roundtable: Role of Champions – How Can We Work Together to Accelerate Progress?

This closing roundtable brings together participants to reflect on the key insights from the forum and discuss the critical role of champions in driving gender equality and financial inclusion. The session will focus on collaborative approaches and practical steps that stakeholders can take to accelerate progress. By leveraging the collective expertise and commitment in the room, this dialogue aims to foster partnerships and actionable solutions to amplify the impact of our shared efforts.

5:30PM – 6:30PM: Networking Reception