Impact
How WDB's work is intended to change women's economic lives
WDB's impact pathway sets out how finance, skills and outreach are expected to lead to lasting gains for women, households and Ghana's economy.
Intended outcomes, not results
WDB has not yet begun operations. Everything on this page describes what WDB intends to achieve. Results will be reported once there is evidence to share.
The pathway
From activities to outputs to outcomes
Each pathway works the same way. WDB's activities produce outputs that can be measured. Those outputs lead to outcomes for women and their businesses. All four pathways lead towards one long-term goal: women's economic empowerment.
- 01
Financial access
WDB activities
Affordable loans, savings and other financial services for women-owned enterprises.
Outputs
Women's accounts opened; loans disbursed to women in business.
Outcomes
Businesses started and expanded; higher, more stable incomes.
- 02
Capacity building
WDB activities
Financial literacy, business and entrepreneurship training, networking and mentoring.
Outputs
Women trained; bankable business plans developed.
Outcomes
Stronger business management, credit use and repayment.
- 03
Digital and market access
WDB activities
Mobile banking, digital payments and links to value chains.
Outputs
Active digital accounts; women linked to buyers and cooperatives.
Outcomes
Lower transaction costs, wider markets, more formal businesses.
- 04
Outreach and voice
WDB activities
Community sensitisation, women's groups and gender-responsive policy advocacy.
Outputs
Communities reached; savings groups and cooperatives formed.
Outcomes
Greater confidence, decision-making power and collective voice.
Long-term impact
Women's economic empowerment
Over time, the four pathways are intended to contribute to:
- Higher incomes and assets owned by women
- Greater control over financial resources
- Jobs created by women-led enterprises
- Reduced poverty and gender gaps
- Inclusive national economic growth
Enabling conditions
What must hold for the pathways to work
The pathway depends on conditions beyond WDB's own activities.
- Government capitalisation and support
- Bank of Ghana licensing and regulation
- Partnerships with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, microfinance institutions and NGOs
- Gender-disaggregated monitoring and evaluation
Help turn the pathway into results
Partners can support outreach, training, access points and funding.
