Collaboration and co-Creation are a must to achieve inclusive, fair, and equal digital financial systems

John Paul Ssemyalo, Chief Executive Officer, Pebuu Africa

 IWD 2026

I am honoured to present my statement on behalf of Pebuu Africa for International Women’s Day in support of building inclusive and gender-responsive systems.

This year’s Give to Gain theme reminds every business that we invest in strengthening education, digital and financial systems, innovation and entrepreneurship vehicles for women, not only to ensure equal access.

It is imperative that women fully participate, benefit, and co-create these systems, as it is the only way for society to advance towards wellbeing of all and a sustainable future.

In Africa, women are the backbones of their communities, building their financial prosperity and resilience to face financial, economic and environmental shocks.

Most of the small business owners in the communities are women and youth; however, when it comes to financial inclusion, women and girls still do not have equal access to financial literacy education, financial services, use of digital tools and technology, or business and mentorship support to develop their innovative ideas. Moreover, women in rural areas are the most vulnerable to climate change.

At Pebuu Africa, we facilitate women SMEs, bank agents, and starting entrepreneurs through on-the-ground support through all business stages, financial literacy initiatives, and business planning and digital tools training. Yet, the change is not possible if businesses work in isolation because a true transformation requires partnerships and diverse, multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve shifts in systems that unlock shared gains.

But the first step to the shift is a step from within.

Every business operation needs to ensure a supportive culture that fosters inclusion, diversity, and gender equality.

At Pebuu, we uphold our corporate responsibility by advancing infrastructure enabling women’s personal and professional development, health, and well-being.

Over 60% of our leadership positions are held by women. This is not solely a strategic and financial move for organisational development – only by embracing gender-responsive leadership, we drive change and transformation for the welfare of the whole continent and beyond.

On International Women’s Day, we call for all businesses to collaborate and co-create, striving for inclusive, fair, and equal systems.

This is not just for women – this is for the well-being of everyone.