India’s startup ecosystem is seeing a significant contribution from women, who are responsible for launching approximately 15% of all such ventures. Access to credit, which has been one of the biggest hurdles for women entrepreneurs, seems to be improving.
According to a report by credit information firm TransUnion CIBIL, the number of women borrowers in India increased to 63 million in 2022, accounting for 28% of the total. Their share in semi-rural and rural regions also rose to 62%. The highest growth of women borrowers was observed in West Bengal (22%), Rajasthan (21%), and Bihar (21%) between 2017-2022.
The report highlights the potential for lenders to provide credit access to women across India, empowering them and driving financial inclusion. The growth rate of women borrowers (16%) has been more rapid than men (13%). Women entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking personal and consumer durable loans, indicating their financial independence and aspirations.
Furthermore, the report notes that the number of women seeking business loans has tripled over the past five years, reflecting a rise in female entrepreneurship. Government schemes like Nari Shakti provide soft loans at lower rates than the market, which has also helped women realize their entrepreneurial aspirations. By 2030, up to 30 million woman-owned enterprises are expected to create nearly 150 million jobs in India.
One can borrow several ideas to promote women’s entrepreneurship and access to credit. Here are a few examples:
1. Encourage government-backed programs: The Indian government has implemented several programs to support women entrepreneurs, such as the Nari Shakti scheme mentioned in the article. This initiative provides soft loans at lower rates to women entrepreneurs, making it easier for them to access credit. Other countries could implement similar programs to promote women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
2. Develop tailored financial products: The article mentions that women borrowers in India are increasingly seeking personal and consumer durable loans. Lenders could develop financial products specifically tailored to women’s needs and preferences to encourage more women to access credit. For example, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) developed a program to provide loans to women entrepreneurs in Rwanda, which included business training and mentoring in addition to financial support.
3. Provide credit scoring solutions: The TransUnion CIBIL report mentioned in the article shows that the number of women borrowers in India has been growing rapidly. However, accessing credit is still a challenge for many women entrepreneurs. Lenders could use credit scoring solutions to help more women access credit. For example, companies like Aye Finance use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers who may not have a formal credit history.
Implementing these ideas could help promote women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion in other countries. For example, a study by the International Labor Organization (ILO) found that women-owned businesses in Ghana face significant challenges in accessing credit, which hinders their growth and development. Implementing government-backed programs, developing tailored financial products, and providing credit scoring solutions could help address these challenges and promote women’s entrepreneurship in Ghana and other countries facing similar issues.