Lagos deploys digital tools to empower women at grassroots The Lagos State Government says it is placing digital tools at the core of its grassroots empowerment drive by connecting women in underserved communities to formal financial systems, many for the first time.

In the second phase of its Women Empowerment Programme, the State—through the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in partnership with Africa HCD Plus—is rolling out mobile banking, digital wallets and financial literacy tools to promote economic inclusion among women traditionally excluded from the financial mainstream.

At outreach sessions in Surulere, Papa Ashafa in Agege and the Ikorodu communities of Ijede and Agura-Gberigbe, over 400 women received hands-on training on how to use digital banking platforms, plan household finances, cultivate savings habits and explore micro-credit opportunities.

Fintech partners Opay and Cowrywise provided on-the-spot onboarding, enabling participants to open digital wallets and savings accounts in real time, marking the first entry into the formal financial ecosystem for many of the women via their mobile phones.

Fintech partners Opay and Cowrywise provided on-the-spot onboarding, enabling participants to open digital wallets and savings accounts in real time, marking the first entry into the formal financial ecosystem for many of the women via their mobile phones.

“The initiative, designed to serve as a platform for onboarding beneficiaries to various social support systems and enhancing their financial resilience, will also bridge the financial inclusion gap in underserved areas, ensuring no one is left behind in the State’s drive for economic resilience and prosperity,” the organisers say.

Beyond financial access, the programme also delivered integrated public services through a multi-agency presence. The Lagos State Resident Registration Agency (LASRRA) facilitated resident enrolment, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) registered women for health insurance, while the Office of Climate Change and Circular Economy conducted climate adaptation awareness sessions. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) also carried out National Identity Number (NIN) verification.

Together, these services created a holistic platform linking women to digital financial access and critical citizen support systems—many for the first time.

The Lagos SDG Office says the initiative forms part of the State’s broader Human Capital Development strategy to use technology to drive inclusion, improve service delivery and build economic resilience at community level.

With expansion plans underway, the Office says the objective is clear: to ensure women in underserved communities are not left behind in the digital economy, but can actively participate in Lagos State’s pursuit of inclusive growth.