DIPLOMAN TIMES

Katsina State has launched the Community Investment Fund under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, with more than 40,000 women expected to benefit after the state committed ₦4 billion to the programme.

Katsina State has launched the Community Investment Fund under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, with more than 40,000 women expected to benefit. Vice-President Kashim Shettima attended the flag-off, which the state presented as an intervention intended to expand women's access to capital, strengthen household incomes and support sustainable livelihoods.

The programme is intended to provide beneficiaries with financial resources to expand businesses, strengthen household incomes and build sustainable livelihoods. The state government described the intervention as an investment in families and communities rather than simply a financial transfer.

Katsina State said it had committed ₦4 billion to the programme, enabling the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up to expand from six local government areas to all 34 local government areas in the state. The government also acknowledged the role of the Federal Government, World Bank and development partners in supporting the programme.

The state government said it had requested additional funding and technical support to expand the intervention further, particularly for underserved communities. It also highlighted the participation of women with hearing impairment who have formed Women Affinity Groups, presenting their inclusion as part of the programme's accessibility approach.

Governor Dikko Radda urged beneficiaries to treat the assistance as seed capital for growth, invest responsibly, maintain proper records and sustain savings practices. The intervention therefore combines federal and development-partner support with state funding and a statewide implementation structure covering all 34 local government areas.