Digital platform 9 Payment Service Bank said women have been able to break barriers in the fintech and finance space despite the challenges they face.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director/CEO of 9PSB, Branka Mracajac, at the Digital Pay 2024 Exhibition and Trade Show held in Lagos with the theme ‘Redefining Payment’.
In a statement by the digital bank on Tuesday, Mracajac spoke at a session on women in Fintech, titled “Inclusive Finance for SMEs,” designed to mentor participating female students in tertiary institutions in Lagos State.
She highlighted that women have made significant inroads in the fintech sector and in small and medium-sized enterprises in recent years compared to what was achievable in the past.
“Although women still compete with their male counterparts for positions, it is evident that many women occupy key leadership positions in the finance and fintech sector, as well as in other areas of human endeavor. The fintech sector is working to improve the situations caused by gender disparity, inclusion and financial inclusion in order to ensure equal growth and opportunities.
“Women are founding many business entities and SMEs, it is important to have the right mindset, work hard and put more effort into educating yourself, acquiring the right expertise and skills, networking and finding someone who will inspire you and opportunities will come.
“We need more top-tier female fintech leaders to inspire young girls. In my day, this didn’t exist, but the dynamic has changed. Women need to stay focused, connected and seek out opportunities to launch their careers,” she said.
Other female fintech CEOs who participated in the session were Ronke Kuye (Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities Limited, SANEF, Nigeria); Dr Markie Idowu (Xpress Payment Solutions Limited); Kemi Okunsanya (Hydrogen, Nigeria) and Yemi Keri (Heckerbella Limited).