Bola Oduyale is bridging Nigeria’s financial gap by empowering women and small businesses through CreditWise Financials Ltd. Her company provides accessible loans, financial literacy, and advocacy, helping marginalised groups achieve financial independence and drive economic growth.
With over 25 years of experience in the financial sector across Africa and Canada, Bola Oduyale has held leadership roles at prestigious financial institutions, advising major economic players. She also led the restructuring and recapitalisation of Safetrust Mortgage Bank – a Lagos-based mortgage and investment bank- as its CEO.
Despite her corporate success, Oduyale’s passion for financial empowerment led her to entrepreneurship in 2020. Growing up in a polygamous home, she witnessed her mother struggle for economic independence, which shaped her belief that quality credit should be a right, not a privilege. This conviction inspired her to establish CreditWise Financials Limited.
Oduyale bridges the gap in gender and MSME financing.
Financial inclusion in Nigeria has improved, but specific challenges persist. As of 2023, 26% of Nigerians were financially excluded, translating to roughly 28.8 million adults. While formal financial inclusion grew from 56% in 2020 to 64% in 2023, poverty remains a key barrier, as limited and irregular income prevents 49% of adults from accessing financial services.
CreditWise Financials Limited tackles these issues by providing sustainable lending focused on poverty alleviation, women empowerment, and MSME support. They also offer loans for junior and mid-level salaried workers to help them manage expenses and improve financial stability. Additionally, CreditWise provides financial literacy and advocacy programs to educate women and entrepreneurs on responsible money management.
Empowering women entrepreneurs with SheBiz loans
A Cherie Blair Foundation for Women report reveals that 45% of female entrepreneurs in developing countries lack regular internet access due to high costs. This limits their ability to market and grow their businesses. Through SheBiz Loans, CreditWise provides women entrepreneurs with capital to launch or expand businesses. They also offer financial literacy training and advocacy programs to improve money management and support long-term economic independence.
CreditWise offers quick loan approvals, with funds disbursed within 24 hours, Sustainable lending solutions to help MSMEs stay afloat, and Financial education to encourage responsible borrowing and long-term stability.
Since its inception, CreditWise has helped countless women and small businesses gain financial stability. Entrepreneurs like Sheriff Olanite, founder of Shecoms Nigeria Limited, have experienced tangible benefits:
“I found CreditWise online and decided to give them a try. The funds we received helped move our business forward. Thank you, CreditWise – you changed everything for us.”
The company seeks to broaden its reach, launch new financial products, and address Nigeria’s financial inclusion gap.
