Across ACP countries, access to finance remains a major barrier for women-owned SMEs – often due to limited access to traditional forms of collateral.
This study explores how Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are increasingly using alternative forms of collateral, such as movable assets, receivables, and warehouse receipts. While these tools have not yet been deployed with a gender-specific focus, the report highlights their potential to ease financing constraints for women entrepreneurs. It makes the case for targeted, gender-responsive approaches to alternative collateral as a way to foster greater financial inclusion