Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday officially kicked off the disbursement of the Community Investment Fund under the [Nigeria for Women Programme Scale‑Up](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/nigeria-women- programme) (NFWP‑SU) in **Katsina State**.
Speaking from the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, Mr Shettima announced that more than 40,000 women across the state are slated to receive business capital, provided they meet the programme’s eligibility criteria and show satisfactory performance in savings and group activities.
Governor Dikko Radda disclosed that **Katsina State** has already contributed over N4 billion to the initiative, and that the State Executive Council approved a further N4 billion last month.
"Katsina State is matching every dollar that is given by the [World Bank](https://www.worldbank.org) to support the women in the state," the governor affirmed.
He reiterated that the state’s total contribution now exceeds four billion naira, with the recent council approval adding another four billion to the fund.
The Community Investment Fund is designed to provide financing to women organised in Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) so they can start or expand income‑generating enterprises.
Mr Shettima explained that the intervention seeks to improve women’s access to capital and boost household incomes.
He cautioned that funding alone does not guarantee sustainable businesses and urged beneficiaries to maintain disciplined savings and proper record‑keeping as required by the programme.
"We should ask whether businesses become stronger, household earnings improve, and additional work becomes available," he said.
The vice president also called on officials managing the fund to base eligibility on merit rather than favouritism or political considerations.
"A beneficiary should understand what she receives and how the process works. Each transaction should be properly documented and questions should receive prompt answers," he added.
Governor Radda noted that implementation has begun in the local government areas of Katsina, Funtua and Daura.
He said the state government has expanded the programme to six more LGAs and plans to increase funding further to cover the remaining local governments.
According to the governor, the flag‑off on Sunday marks the start of disbursements, not the end of the process.
"Women Affinity Groups that are not receiving their grants today should remain confident that the process will continue," he urged.
"All eligible groups will be considered for support as they mature and satisfy the programme’s established requirements."
Mr Radda appealed to the World Bank and other development partners for additional financing and technical assistance to extend the intervention to more women across the state’s 34 LGAs.
He highlighted the involvement of women with hearing impairments who have formed their own Women Affinity Groups.
The governor stressed that persons with disabilities must have equal access to economic programmes and encouraged beneficiaries to invest the funds in viable businesses, keep accurate records and continue saving through their groups.
A World Bank representative, Matthew Verghis, warned that narrowing gender gaps in agriculture, self‑employment and wage employment could add $22.9 billion to Nigeria’s economy – roughly 5.8 % of GDP.
"This gives us a clear message: investing in women is investing in Nigeria’s economic growth," he said.
Mr Verghis said the $540 million Nigeria for Women Programme Scale‑Up is being rolled out in 32 states, targeting five million women directly and millions more indirectly.
He projected that the programme could generate about 4.5 million jobs.
Participating women have collectively saved more than N20 billion through their groups, according to the representative.
He praised **Katsina State**’s commitment to match donor investments with state resources, noting it provides a solid foundation for expanding coverage.
Mr Verghis urged banks, technology firms and other businesses to view Women Affinity Groups as potential customers, suppliers and partners rather than merely recipients of public aid.
"The ultimate objective is not perpetual dependence on public or donor financing. The objective is to help women build viable and growing businesses that can access finance, compete in markets, create jobs and stand on their own," he explained.
Commissioner for Women Affairs Aisha Malumfashi reported that women in Katsina and Daura LGAs have formed more than 2,393 Women Affinity Groups, with additional groups emerging in Funtua.
She added that participating women have saved over N310 million collectively.
The commissioner called on beneficiaries to channel the funds into their enterprises and maintain savings through their groups.
Mr Shettima’s one‑day official visit to Katsina also included the inauguration of road projects and the launch of mass‑transit vehicles supplied by the state government.