Loans & Investment Readiness Program for Women in Mining
We treat the root of the problem and not the symptoms
Women play a critical role in Africa’s mining sector, contributing as artisanal and small-scale miners, entrepreneurs, and professionals in mining services and value addition. However, despite their contributions, women in mining face significant barriers to accessing funding, which limits their ability to grow their businesses, invest in modern technologies, and improve working conditions.
The Loans & Investment Readiness Program for Women in Mining is an initiative by WiM-Africa designed to equip women miners and entrepreneurs with the necessary financial skills, business knowledge, and access to funding opportunities to help them thrive in the industry.
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By supporting this program, banks, microfinance institutions, development agencies, mining companies, and investors can contribute to women’s economic empowerment and the sustainable growth of the mining sector across Africa.
How This Program Works
This initiative provides:
Women Artisanal Miners Forum (WAMF)
Why This Program Matters
Despite the vast opportunities in Africa’s mining sector, women continue to face financial exclusion due to:
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Limited access to capital due to high collateral demands and restrictive loan conditions.
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Lack of financial literacy and investment readiness among women miners and entrepreneurs.
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Limited opportunities to engage with investors and funding institutions.
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Gender disparities in financial services and policies that do not favor women-led mining businesses.
This program aims to bridge these gaps by providing women in mining with the tools, skills, and networks they need to secure funding and grow their businesses sustainably.
Program Objectives
The Loans & Investment Readiness Program is designed to:
1. Enhance financial literacy & business management skills to improve women’s ability to access funding.
2. Provide support in preparing loan applications & investment proposals to financial institutions and investors.
3. Connect women in mining with banks, and microfinance institutions, and impact investors for potential funding opportunities.
4. Advocate for gender-inclusive financial policies and loan products tailored to the needs of women in mining.
5. Encourage partnerships with mining companies, ESG investors, and development agencies to support women-led mining enterprises.
Expected Impact
In the overall, we look forward to the establishment of Stronger policy frameworks supporting women’s financial inclusion in mining. Other expected impacts include;
📌 Increased access to capital for women-led mining businesses.
📌 Improved financial literacy among women miners, enabling better financial management.
📌 Greater representation of women in the formal financial system.
📌 Economic growth and job creation driven by financially empowered women entrepreneurs.
Call for Collaboration
WiM-Africa invites:
✅ Banks & Microfinance Institutions to create loan products designed for women in mining.
✅ Mining Companies & ESG Investors to support women-led businesses in their supply chains.
✅ Development Agencies & Funding Organizations to partner with WiM-Africa in providing training, technical support, and funding access.
✅ Venture Capital Firms & Impact Investors to explore funding opportunities for women-owned mining enterprises.
