Airtel Payments Bank, Mastercard Center, and Frontier Markets have jointly launched “She Leads Bharat:Udyam,” an initiative designed to uplift women-owned small businesses in India. This program aims to support the growth and development of 100,000 women-owned small businesses in the initial phase, focusing on regions in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The initiative will leverage Frontier Markets’ proprietary Meri-Saheli platform to provide learning and earning opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
In the first phase of She Leads Bharat:Udyam, 100,000 women-owned small businesses will be empowered to learn and earn through the flexible Meri-Saheli platform. Additionally, a subset of 10,000 of these women entrepreneurs will be enabled to expand their businesses by becoming Airtel Payments Bank Business Correspondents (BCs).
Anubrata Biswas, MD&CEO of Airtel Payments Bank, expressed the institution’s commitment to empowering rural women entrepreneurs. He welcomed these women on board as Business Correspondents, highlighting the role they play in extending banking and financial services to underserved rural areas. He emphasized the goal of building a financially inclusive economy through collaborative efforts.
Women-owned small businesses in India often face challenges that hinder their growth potential. Although women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) constitute 20% of all MSMEs, they receive only 5% of the total financing provided by public-sector banks. Experts note that women entrepreneurs in India may have limited access to digital tools and training, impacting their business development.
However, when provided with proper support, women entrepreneurs are more likely to make positive contributions to their families, employees, and communities. They are key drivers of inclusive economic growth. Ari Sarker, President Asia Pacific at Mastercard, emphasized that inclusive growth is about providing women entrepreneurs with access to credit and digital tools, enabling them to expand their businesses and enhance resilience.
The She Leads Bharat:Udyam program aims to bring together private sector entities, social enterprises, and philanthropy in the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors. The initiative seeks to showcase a digital-first model that empowers women-owned small businesses to increase their incomes.
Frontier Markets will be responsible for implementing the program. The organization will leverage its network of Saral Jeevan Sahelis—women entrepreneurs—to identify and onboard women-owned small businesses onto the Meri-Saheli platform. In partnership with Airtel Payments Bank, Frontier Markets will onboard eligible women-owned small businesses as business correspondents. This collaboration will leverage the Saheli network and platform to enhance product awareness, generate leads, and maximize earning opportunities.
The Mastercard Impact Fund will provide funding for She Leads Bharat:Udyam. Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth will contribute its catalytic capital and global expertise in support of small businesses.