In a significant step toward promoting women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, Pakistan has approved its first digital financing product specifically designed for women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative, called Khudmukhtar Khatoon, aims to provide easier access to formal financing for female business owners through a completely digital and Shariah-compliant framework.
The product has been introduced by Walee Financial Services following regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). It is designed to help women entrepreneurs acquire business assets without the traditional hurdles often associated with obtaining credit.
Under the program, eligible women-owned businesses can access financing ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs1.5 million, depending on their credit profile and business requirements. The entire process—from application submission to approval and disbursement—will be managed digitally through the company’s lending platform, making financing more accessible and convenient.
Unlike conventional financing products, Khudmukhtar Khatoon focuses on supporting business growth through asset acquisition. Entrepreneurs can select business-related equipment and assets through an integrated marketplace, with purchases financed under a Shariah-compliant structure. Once approved, the selected assets are delivered directly to the customer’s registered address.
The repayment model has also been designed with flexibility in mind. Borrowers can repay the financing through manageable monthly installments over a period of up to 12 months, allowing businesses to invest in growth while maintaining healthy cash flow.
The launch comes at a time when access to formal financing remains a major challenge for many women entrepreneurs across Pakistan. Limited collateral, restricted financial histories, and procedural barriers have often prevented women-owned businesses from obtaining the capital needed to expand their operations. By leveraging digital technology, the new product seeks to bridge this gap and bring more women into the formal financial ecosystem.
The initiative also reflects the growing role of non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) in supporting underserved sectors of the economy. These institutions have increasingly contributed to financing micro and small businesses, helping entrepreneurs gain access to capital outside traditional banking channels.
Beyond providing funding, Khudmukhtar Khatoon represents a broader effort to empower women economically. Greater access to business financing can enable female entrepreneurs to increase productivity, create employment opportunities, and contribute more actively to Pakistan’s economic development.
As digital financial services continue to evolve, innovative products like this could play an important role in reducing the financing gap faced by women-led enterprises and fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape across the country.