The Ethiopia Finance Forum With the kind invitation of my dearest Koki I was fortunate enough to attend the third day of the Forum that focuses on Capacity Building. I was late for the specific forum on Capacity Building and only grasped the summary. Nevertheless, its was like blessing in disguise. I have extended my stay to attend the Forum on Beyond Inclusion that focused examining the steps taken towards ensuring women meaningful benefit from access to finance. The panel was lead by the special Bethelehem from The Talent Firm. The panelists were Dr. Saba from WBG, Mr. Abrham from NBE, Woz Dagmawit from Kedemt Coffee, Mr. Abdi from COOP and Mr. Henok from Kifya. I learned a lot from the research undertakings, operations and experiences of the organizations represented by the panelists. Though my plan was to attend and learn, I was pushed by practical experience that involved my family member with regard to access to finance for women. The panelists especially Mr. Henok from Kifiya was kind enough to share my concerns and acknowledge the experience I shared. The Issue of Collateral as a challenge for Women access to finance that seems well appreciated and being addressed. However, my concern was IS WHAT IS BEING DONE ENOUGH? In my opinion on using Data based and IA supported decision for identification and provision of financial services for women is still challenged by the FACELESS nature of data sets. My fear is that the data we have may not tell the real story. The human and social aspects of the challenges of women business owners and leaders my be overlooked. The solution I was suggesting was to look beyond far and wide for solutions. I shared how the Banks in Kenya stride to embrace Mobile banking 20 years ago without spending time and resource on ATM and other facilities to help facilitate universal access for banking services initiatives. Well Done to The Organizers

The Ethiopia Finance Forum

With the kind invitation of my dearest Koki I was fortunate enough to attend the third day of the Forum that focuses on Capacity Building.

I was late for the specific forum on Capacity Building and only grasped the summary. Nevertheless, its was like blessing in disguise. I have extended my stay to attend the Forum on Beyond Inclusion that focused examining the steps taken towards ensuring women meaningful benefit from access to finance.
The panel was lead by the special Bethelehem from The Talent Firm. The panelists were Dr. Saba from WBG, Mr. Abrham from NBE, Woz Dagmawit from Kedemt Coffee, Mr. Abdi from COOP and Mr. Henok from Kifya.
I learned a lot from the research undertakings, operations and experiences of the organizations represented by the panelists.
Though my plan was to attend and learn, I was pushed by practical experience that involved my family member with regard to access to finance for women.
The panelists especially Mr. Henok from Kifiya was kind enough to share my concerns and acknowledge the experience I shared.
The Issue of Collateral as a challenge for Women access to finance that seems well appreciated and being addressed. However, my concern was IS WHAT IS BEING DONE ENOUGH?
In my opinion on using Data based and IA supported decision for identification and provision of financial services for women is still challenged by the FACELESS nature of data sets. My fear is that the data we have may not tell the real story. The human and social aspects of the challenges of women business owners and leaders my be overlooked.
The solution I was suggesting was to look beyond far and wide for solutions.
I shared how the Banks in Kenya stride to embrace Mobile banking 20 years ago without spending time and resource on ATM and other facilities to help facilitate universal access for banking services initiatives.

Well Done to The Organizers