The Alternative Bank (‘AltBank’) has unveiled The Alternative Bank-Utiva Women in Tech Scholarship, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs with digital skills, innovation design, and business growth training.
The announcement was made during a high-level virtual convening held on Friday to commemorate the International Day for Rural Women.
The scholarship programme, set to commence in November 2025, is part of the Bank’s broader Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy to bridge gender and digital divides while equipping women with tools to scale their enterprises and thrive in the emerging digital economy.
Speaking during the event, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director (South) at The Alternative Bank, described the initiative as both symbolic and strategic.
“Women are the heartbeat of food systems, the lifeline of families, and the silent architects of community resilience,” she said. “Empowering rural women is a moral imperative as much as it is smart economics and a cornerstone of sustainable national growth. The doors of The Alternative Bank remain open, ready to partner, finance ideas, and co-create sustainable solutions that empower women and strengthen communities,” Demola-Adeniyi added.
Also speaking, Eyitayo Ogunmola, Chief Executive Officer of Utiva, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to redefine access to digital opportunities for women.
“At Utiva, we believe that when women are equipped with the right digital skills, they don’t just transform their businesses—they transform their communities. This partnership with The Alternative Bank is about creating pathways for inclusion, innovation, and long-term economic empowerment for women who are shaping the future of enterprise in Africa,” he said.
The virtual convening, themed “Rural Women and MSMEs: Driving Sustainability, Strengthening Economies, Securing Our Shared Tomorrow,” brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and development partners to celebrate and advocate for rural women across Nigeria and Africa.
The event aligned with the global observance of the United Nations’ International Day for Rural Women, highlighting women’s vital roles in food systems, entrepreneurship, and economic sustainability.
Hon. Gift Johnbull, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment.
“Women in our rural areas are farmers because most of our rural communities are agrarian communities, and they are the reason we have food in our cities and on our tables,” she stated. “They make up to 70% of our food system in this country and worldwide, yet they face barriers like access to education, finance, and other productive opportunities. We acknowledge that and are making progress to ensure these barriers are totally eradicated from our society.”
From the United Nations, Osalobo Osemhenjie, Programme Specialist at UN Women, emphasized the importance of joint stakeholder action to promote inclusion and economic equality.
“Let us commit to changing this narrative by investing in rural women’s leadership, expanding access to finance, fostering digital and entrepreneurial skills, and providing mentorship programmes for young women,” she said. “Only then will we unlock a future that is not only sustainable but equitable.”
A key highlight of the event was a presentation by Kemi Ayanda, Economic Development and Trade Strategist for Africa and the Middle East, who urged stakeholders to rethink traditional development approaches.
“True transformation begins not with funding but with reimagining systems that recognise resilience as an economic asset and women as critical stabilisers,” Ayanda noted.
Other notable speakers included Her Excellency Hajia Fatima Dikko Radda, wife of the Executive Governor of Katsina State; Mrs. Ellen T. Johnson, Country Head of Commonwealth Businesswomen Africa (Gambia); Judith Libaisi Kayoni, Global Rural and Social Development Expert (Kenya); Dr. Hadiza Yaro, Anglophone West Africa Sales Manager at SAKATA Vegetables Europe SAS; and Ameena Buhari-Mohammed, Private Banking & Wealth Management Lead at The Alternative Bank.
The Alternative Bank’s observance of the International Day for Rural Women underscores its commitment to inclusive and ethical finance models that unlock opportunities for women-led enterprises, strengthen local economies, and promote Nigeria’s long-term digital and economic resilience.