As part of the broader efforts of the FIRST+II program, CapitalPlus Exchange Corporation (CapPlus), in partnership with the Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI), is delivering tangible results in strengthening inclusive finance skills and creating new opportunities for young women and persons with disabilities across Ghana.
Young women have been a central focus of the project’s efforts. Through specially tailored exposure webinars, dozens of young women were introduced to career pathways in digital financial services, breaking traditional barriers to entry and building excitement around new possibilities in the sector.
Transitioning from awareness to skill-building, participants embarked on their first formal learning journey with the Product Management in Fintech course, launched in January 2025. Over five weeks, young women and other participants gained practical knowledge of how digital products are designed and delivered, positioning them for success in the fintech landscape. Graduates received certificates of completion, marking a key milestone in building a pipeline of future-ready talent.
Momentum continued with the launch of the Digital Finance for All course in March 2025. This course offers students critical insights into the evolution of savings, credit, and financial services for the informal sector in a digital economy.
To date, a total of 492 participants have been enrolled across two digital finance training programs under the FIRST+II initiative in partnership with Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI). The Product Management in Fintech course recorded 264 young women enrolled with strong completion and certification outcomes. The second course, Digital Finance for All, has so far enrolled 361 participants, comprising 283 young women, 69 staff from GHAMFIN and affiliated Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs), and 9 participants from the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD). Notably, the GFD group recorded an impressive 8 out of 9 completions. While overall participation reflects growing interest, these efforts reflect the program’s commitment to inclusive capacity building for women and persons with disabilities in digital finance.
Importantly, the initiative fosters a collaborative environment by establishing Communities of Practice (CoP) in Accra and Kumasi. These gatherings have provided young women, persons with disabilities, and other participants a platform to share experiences, strengthen networks, and drive collective learning.
While challenges such as limited digital literacy and time management hurdles were observed, the FIRST+II and DFI teams have intensified efforts to provide additional support, closely monitoring participants’ progress and expanding engagement channels to ensure no one is left behind.
The FIRST+II program’s partnership with Digital Frontiers Institute equips individuals with technical skills. It transforms aspirations into action for young women and persons with disabilities, paving the way toward a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem in Ghana.
About FIRST+II Program
“The Financial Institution Resilience and Strengthening (FIRST+II) Program, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with CapitalPlus Exchange Corporation, aims to enhance financial inclusion for youth, especially women, rural micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana. By providing business development services to smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs while building the capacity of financial institutions to accelerate their finance, FIRST+II fosters sustainable economic growth, strengthens resilience, and promotes inclusive development. Through strategic partnerships and innovative financing solutions, the program empowers MSMEs and high-impact enterprises to create and improve jobs for young women and men and contribute to local economies, ultimately improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
For more information, visit (first.capplus.org).”
About DFI
“Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI) is dedicated to empowering professionals in emerging sectors such as digital finance, gender equality, and inclusive economies. Since 2015, DFI has trained over 26,500 individuals across 166 countries. They offer a range of capacity-building programs, creating opportunities for continuous learning and professional development. Through their theory of change, DFI strives to build inclusive, equitable economies by equipping a new generation of professionals with essential skills and networks. They also foster global communities of practice, maintaining connections among alumni through physical and online networks.
For more information, visit (digitalfrontiersinstitute.org).”
