Resilience Through Young Women: Digital Frontiers Institute and CapitalPlus Exchange Equip Future Leaders to Strengthen Agricultural Financial Services
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Author: Digital Frontiers Institute
Transforming Ghana’s Workforce Through the FIRST+II Inclusive Finance Scholarship Programme
Cape Town, February 2025 — Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI) is excited to announce the launch of the FIRST+ll (Financial Institution Resilience and Strengthening) Inclusive Finance Scholarship Programme in partnership with CapitalPlus Exchange (CapPlus) and the MasterCard Foundation. This strategic partnership forms part of the Mastercard Foundation’s FIRST+II programme with CapitalPlus which is aimed at creating dignified jobs for Ghanaian youth by 2030. As programme partners, Digital Frontiers Institute aims to equip young Ghanaian women with the skills for innovative product development, digital financial inclusion, and agent network strengthening through the provision of tailor-made digital finance training programmes necessary to empower the next generation of work-ready Ghanaian women to excel in fintech, financial services, agriculture value chains, and inclusive finance sectors within Ghana. Together, we are shaping an empowered workforce that will drive systemic change and economic improvement in Ghana.
Partnering for Impact
DFI, a global leader in capacity building within inclusive finance, gender and digital transformation, has joined forces with CapPlus, an organisation committed to equipping financial institutions in emerging economies to deliver finance profitably for social impact. CapPlus’ FIRST+II programme applies an ecosystem approach to increasing and improving jobs and self-employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth by increasing smallholder farmers’ and micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) revenues, and expanding financial inclusion for individuals and businesses in agriculture and adjacent sectors now and into the future. The programme includes business development services, capacity building for financial institutions, catalytic capital and ecosystem strengthening.
Together, these organisations are advancing the capabilities of young women within the GHAMFIN and non-bank financial services sector, improving access to finance of women Agri-entrepreneurs, enhancing employment readiness for young women, and creating opportunities in fintech and financial services industry for young Ghanaian women with a STEM background.
The FIRST+II Inclusive Finance Scholarship Programme aims to address these challenges through a 5-course programme and a bold step toward building a pipeline of work-ready talent in high-demand sectors such as fintech, agriculture and beyond, further enhancing financial inclusion, economic resilience, and community prosperity. The FIRST+II Inclusive Finance Scholarship Programme will strengthen the skills and knowledge of the selected young women, particularly in the areas of product development and innovation, digitising the agriculture value chain, supporting MSME growth, and initiatives that support financial inclusion for the underserved. It also offers internship opportunities for participants to gain practical experience working in fintechs and financial services industry.
Tariro Nyimo, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Fundraising at Digital Frontiers, highlights the significance of the partnership, stating: “The Financial Institution Resilience and Strengthening (FIRST+II) Programme, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with CapitalPlus Exchange Corporation (CapPlus), aims to enhance financial inclusion for youth, especially women, rural micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana. Digital Frontiers is proud to partner with CapPlus on this initiative, which perfectly aligns with our TwentyforGood Movement. Together, we are equipping young women with critical skills and stimulating job-creating ecosystems within financial markets and agricultural value chains to build a more inclusive and resilient future.”
The FIRST+II Inclusive Finance Scholarship Programme: A Transformative Learning Experience
The programme offers full scholarships for young Ghanaian women aged 15-35 with a background in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) from deprived communities, young women working within the GHAMFIN network and/or those working in Non-Bank Financial Institutions. Over six months, participants will engage in five transformative courses:
- Product Management in Fintech — Exploring product management in digital finance with a focus on emerging markets.
- Digital Finance for All — Understanding credit, savings and insurance for underserved populations.
- Digitising Agriculture — Leveraging digital tools to support agriculture and smallholder farmers.
- Digital MSME Finance — Enhancing access to finance for MSMEs through digital solutions.
- Agent Networks at the Last Mile — Building rural cash-in/cash-out networks to promote financial inclusion.
Inspiring Ghana’s Future Workforce
The impact of the FIRST+II Inclusive Finance Scholarship Programme is already being felt with the two exposure and awareness webinars hosted by DFI and CapPlus that attracted over 470 registrations from Ghanaian youth eager to shape the future of the country’s female workforce.
“At CapitalPlus Exchange (CapPlus), we are committed to creating real opportunities for youth, women, farmers, and MSMEs beyond just capacity building. Through initiatives like the FIRST+II Inclusive Finance Scholarship Programme, we are not only equipping individuals with skills but also opening pathways to sustainable jobs, entrepreneurship, and financial independence. Our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and Digital Frontiers Institute ensures that this programme goes beyond training—it is a catalyst for long-term economic empowerment, enabling the next generation to thrive and shape the future of Ghana’s financial ecosystem.” – Richard Obuobi, FIRST+II Programme Director, CapitalPlus Exchange.
About CapitalPlus Exchange:
CapitalPlus Exchange (CapPlus) partners with financial institutions to enable sustainable financing for underserved enterprises, driving social and economic impact. CapPlus strengthens markets through a range of strategic and operational capacity building services to financial institutions in key areas, focused on long-term growth and profitability. The FIRST+II programme, led by CapPlus in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, creates and enhances opportunities for youth employment and strengthens the capacity of Ghanaian organisations to achieve lasting impact. With a commitment to empowering youth and women, FIRST+II unlocks the potential of smallholder farmers, MSMEs and people with disabilities to increase their incomes and create and improve youth jobs through business development services and access to finance.
About Digital Frontiers Institute:
Digital Frontiers Institute (DFI) offers exceptional learning experiences and opportunities for continuous professional development. DFI empowers individuals and organisations committed to creating more inclusive and equitable societies by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to drive meaningful change. Through flagship programmes such as the Certified Digital Finance Practitioner, Gender Equality Changemakers, Instant and Inclusive Payment Systems, and Digital Financial Inclusion Supervision; DFI has built capabilities and fostered human connections impacting over 26,000 individuals across 3,611 organisations in nearly 200 countries. These efforts have contributed to significant advancements in inclusive finance, payment systems, gender equity, health and digital economies. Digital Frontiers Institute is a proud brand of Digital Frontiers.
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