The federal government through the Nigeria Community Action For Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) has distributed Point of Sale (PoS) machines to hundreds of women traders in Bauchi State following a recent report by LEADERSHIP detailing their struggles with facilitating digital payments and financial inclusion amid growing efforts for a cashless economy in the country.
LEADERSHIP reports that women traders in Bauchi struggled with cash shortages and digital payment challenges, often losing customers to better-equipped competitors. This development is expected to inspire similar initiatives across other states, further strengthening the role of technology in transforming Nigeria’s informal economy.
The intervention, through a partnership with the Bauchi government, aims to empower small-scale traders with digital financial inclusion and boost their economic activities. The initiative was part of the government’s commitment to addressing barriers to financial accessibility for women in rural areas.
“We are responding directly to the issues raised in the report. These PoS machines will enable these hardworking women to expand their businesses and thrive in a digital economy,” Director of Monitoring and Evaluation NG-CARES, Mr Atiku Musa explained.
One of the beneficiaries, Zainab Haruna, a vegetable seller at the Muda Lawal Market, expressed gratitude for the initiative. “I used to lose customers because I couldn’t accept transfers. Now, with this PoS, my business will grow, and I can serve my customers better,” she said.
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