In a strategic collaboration, Inclusion for All (I4ALL) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) are setting the stage for the discussion of the “Digital ID for the last mile – enabling access to digital ID for rural female agricultural workers” at the Inclusion for all (I4ALL) Dialogues scheduled for July 26.

I4All Dialogues is an issues-based and evidence-backed multi-stakeholder convening platform to inform conversations and discuss solutions to the barriers that prevent digital financial inclusion in Nigeria.

The organizations will also launch the research report on ‘Access to Identity, Empowerment, Livelihood and Financial Inclusion of Female Agricultural Workers and Traders in Nigeria’.

The panel discussion, featuring seasoned experts, will focus on Digital ID as a catalyst for financial inclusion and empowerment of rural women in agriculture.

During the virtual event, policymakers, regulators, CSOs, and service providers will have the opportunity to discuss how marginalized Nigerians can be included in the formal economy via proper identification.

The current Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz and the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive of the Kaduna State Residents Identity Management Agency, Dr. Zayyad Tsiga will be leading the conversations.

The Context

Inclusion for all (I4ALL) seeks to leverage data and evidence to deepen knowledge about the multiple barriers that keep poor Nigerians excluded from formal financial services while working with multiple stakeholders to advocate for their removal.

The goal is to reduce financial exclusion by driving increased ownership and usage of digital financial services. I4ALL Dialogues are multi-stakeholder engagements for knowledge sharing and exchange, leveraging insights curated by Inclusion for all in alignment with its advocacy campaigns.

Based on I4ALL’s analysis of EFInA (Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access) data, the team is established that rural women engaged in trading or farming are most likely to be financially excluded.

On the back of this, I4ALL commissioned IITA to conduct a targeted survey on the impact of exclusion on rural female agricultural workers/farmers and traders; particularly in terms of their access to official identification and the resultant restriction on their participation in the formal financial system in Nigeria.

For context, 80% of Nigeria’s farmers are smallholders – defined as working on an area of land less than 10 hectares. 70% of them live in rural areas, and 70% are also women.

To join the conversations, click here to register to attend the virtual event.

Source: Techeconomy