Nigeria's federal government to give motorcycle and tricycle loans to 10,000 women

NIGERIA'S federal government has unveiled an ambitious Women in Mobility programme involving handing out loans to 10,000 females to allow them to purchase motorcycles and tricycles popularly known as kekes.

Provided through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (Credicorp), the loans are designed to economically empower women across all of Nigeria's 36 states. Under the programme, the government is seeking to enable women to participate in transportation, logistics, delivery services and other mobility-related ventures, boosting both their financial independence and economic participation.

Launching the programme, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria's minister of women affairs, emphasised the importance of creating economic spaces for women. She noted that the Abuja pilot phase had already handed over vehicles to 1,000 women, with the programme set to expand nationwide to reach 10,000 beneficiaries.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim said: “It's economic empowerment. It’s how much they drive it and how many hours they put into it. There’s no economic effort that is a chicken feed.

"Mr President has a goal of a $1trn economy and we have all come together across sectors to ensure that we activate economic spaces and also carry women along. Because women are over 50% of the population of this country and they participate across sectors, we will like to strengthen their participation so that it translates into value, not just for them and their families but for the country at large.”

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the minister of state for labour and employment. added: “Before now, it was strange for people to say they’re riding commercial tricycles or commercial vehicles but with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President and from skilling up artisans, you know that every person, whether you’re a man, woman, girl, can become a driver today. So it’s cutting across the whole of the economy.”

Credicorp managing director Uzoma Nwagba described the programme as a practical step towards expanding financial inclusion and deepening Nigeria’s consumer credit ecosystem. He explained that Credicorp is partnering with key stakeholders to integrate financing, asset supply, training and business support, ensuring that beneficiaries do more than just access credit.