When Women Lead, Communities Rise! A New Era of Gender Finance: Ahantaman Rural Bank’s Gender-Focused Finance Pilot

Through the Mastercard Foundation’s FIRST+II program, implemented by CapitalPlus Exchange (CapPlus), Ahantaman Rural Bank is transforming how women entrepreneurs access and benefit from finance. Its gender-finance pilot reimagines group loan products by tailoring them to the distinct realities of women-led micro and small businesses, especially those in agriculture and related sectors.

For micro-enterprises, the pilot eased entry into finance by linking reduced collateral requirements to successful loan repayment cycles. For example, women operating in agriculture and adjacent sectors, many of whom are transitioning from micro into small businesses, gained access to larger working capital loans through an incremental cash build-up model, eliminating the burden of full upfront collateral. The refined small-business loan package also introduced seasonal top-up loans during peak business periods and parallel loans to support children’s education costs, a significant financial strain, particularly for single mothers.

By the close of the pilot’s first phase, Ahantaman had disbursed GHS 1,966,500 to 84 groups,

• GHS 900,500 for small-business repeat loans

• GHS 838,000 for small-business new loans

• GHS 228,000 for micro group loans

Survey findings from participating women entrepreneurs show a notable increase in sales turnover, particularly among those engaged in foodstuff trading. These client-reported results signal positive momentum, with verification planned through matched sales records in the next phase of the pilot.

So far, this pilot demonstrates that gender-intentional product design is both impactful and scalable. By embedding flexibility, reducing collateral barriers, and aligning loan features with women’s real-world needs, Ahantaman Rural Bank is helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, support their families, and strengthen community economies.

Through this initiative, the Mastercard Foundation’s FIRST+II program, implemented by CapPlus, is paving the way for financial products that not only reach women but also work for women, unlocking pathways to lasting prosperity.

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