… With Solape Akinpelu

The inaugural Guardian Woman Festival held last week was a selected gathering of women and even men from various sectors all seeking to Inspire Inclusion in their own way.

In this week’s edition, post the festival, we have the Chief Executive Officer and co- founder, Hervest, Solape Akinpelu. She also serves as Country Manager for Women in Tech Global Movement. The gender and finance expert speaks on how her organisation is championing inclusion.

As the founder of Hervest, what does inspiring inclusion mean for you?

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NCLUSION is the core principle which Hervest is founded upon. Inspiring inclusion basically means taking deliberate and data- driven actions that support women to achieve their varied goals irrespective of race, socio- economic class, religion and other intersections that prevent the full realisation of our potential.

Inspiring inclusion isn’t a call for men or organisations to give women a seat at the table; it’s an invitation to women as well. We must lead the row in galvanising transformation. This is what Hervest is about.

Hervest was established to help women build wealth through tailored access to savings, investment and credit facilities. Financial services can only be effective when we provide relevant and affordable services. It’s also effective when we understand that everyone plays a pivotal role in economic progress. Women contribute over 70 per cent to the informal economy in Nigeria, yet 98 per cent of women do not have access to formal credit. Without credit, how can women access other levels of financial services like savings and digital payment.

As an inclusive financial services provider, Hervest takes into consideration these complexities with the aim to narrow the gender credit gap through easy access to credit and other levels of financial services. This is what inclusion is all about.

How important is it for women to be relevant in your field of practice?

Just recently, the media was agog with congratulatory messages as one of the top tier banks in the country announced its first female CEO/ MD. I am happy that we are creating our own spaces and elevating our voices so the next woman will seize opportunities that weren’t available to our mothers.

It’s also important for women to be actively involved in financial services, then can we create products that really impact the lives of women. We can support female initiatives and invest in businesses with a gender lens. Furthermore, we can drive equity when we have gender diverse boards and inspire the younger generation to reach for more. No one gets the woman like the next woman and this is a key component for driving financial inclusion.

What inspires you for success?

I believe the worst fate that can befall a man isn’t death but an unfulfilled purpose or assignment while alive. Each and every one of us is the solution to an existing problem. No one can be or do it like you and so we must not rob the world of this vital gift. This is the ethos I live by. How many women will be lifted out of poverty if Hervest didn’t provide the opportunity of credit or market linkages? I can’t fathom it.

Currently Hervest has impacted over 10,000 farmers and counting in Nigeria. Over 40,000 community members utilise our mobile app, USSD and web based platforms to save and invest. If we didn’t step in, who would have? So, I am inspired by my responsibility to humanity and God. I am not of myself; neither is my gifting and assignment monolithic.

What is your message to women especially as we mark this year’s International Women’s Day?

My message to women will be to celebrate themselves. Already, we have put in so much work to feel recognised and accepted. But the real value and acceptance lies within. So, take time to congratulate yourself and the next woman. Let’s be our biggest cheerleaders, mentors and supporters. Let’s always be a community that builds, nurtures and lifts up others, men and women alike.