Nairobi, June 22 -- Every day across Africa, millions of women are trading and running businesses-in markets, shops, factories and farms-creating jobs, supporting families, communities and countries.

Yet despite owning promising enterprises, millions continue to encounter barriers to capital, an age-old challenge that has limited their ability to expand their ventures, create jobs and contribute fully to economic transformation.

However, something transformational is beginning to happen, and it should be sustained. A growing number of financial institutions are challenging long-held assumptions about women-owned businesses and designing products that respond to their realities.

Financing barriers

Recent recognition of a banking progra...