More Than 20,000 Women Entrepreneurs Receive Rs. 24 Billion in Loans from Banks: SBP

Commercial banks have provided more than Rs. 24 billion in financing to over twenty thousand women-led businesses during the past year, according to new figures released by the State Bank of Pakistan. The central bank says the milestone reflects growing financial inclusion efforts and a stronger push to support women’s participation in the economy. The SBP noted that more than fifty outreach sessions were held nationwide, directly engaging around one thousand five hundred women entrepreneurs. These sessions included SME Baithaks, mentorship programs, awareness workshops and business development drives. Officials said the outreach will now expand to over fifty districts, where thousands more women will be guided on accessing credit and scaling their enterprises. The central bank emphasized that building an inclusive financial ecosystem remains a long-term priority. It said women-led businesses continue to demonstrate resilience and innovation, making them an important driver of productivity, job creation and long-term competitiveness across the entrepreneurial sector. To celebrate and further strengthen this momentum, the SBP will mark Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day on December 3, 2025, with events at sixteen SBP field offices. Banks across the country will also hold activities through December 5 to highlight the achievements of women innovators, business owners and job creators. Officials said the initiative aims to create sustainable pathways for women in business and deepen the role of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s economic growth.