IFC and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women unlock $3 billion for over 267,000 Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets

Washington, D.C., September 15, 2025 - What started as a bold idea in 2014 became a movement: The Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF), a partnership between Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has supported over 267,000 women entrepreneurs across 59 countries-unlocking $3.17 billion in investments and surpassing its ambitious goal five times over.

Through WEOF, financing women-owned businesses at scale is showing its power to help drive growth, create jobs, and expand economic opportunities for women.

Created to unlock finance for Women-owned small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) in emerging markets, WEOF, through financial institutions, has delivered innovative solutions, advisory services, and capacity-building programs to support women entrepreneurs globally. It combines IFC's expertise in private sector development with Goldman Sachs' commitment to fostering economic growth through its 10,000 Women initiative.

"We pioneered an approach that's never been done before and proved what's possible when we invest in women," said Asahi Pompey, Global Head of Corporate Engagement at Goldman Sachs and President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation. "Ten years of data shows that when you invest in women, they deliver strong returns, fuel growth, and transform their communities."

Key milestones achieved over the past decade include:

• 267,000 women entrepreneurs received financing through IFC client financial institutions, more than doubling its original target of 100,000.
• $3.17 billion in unlocked investments, including $965 million from external lenders.
• $8.2 billion in cumulative loans to women entrepreneurs, representing a 57% growth in WSME lending portfolios.
• The first gender bond in emerging markets trade finance programs for women importers and exporters, and the women entrepreneur debt fund launched.

"WEOF has shown that financing women-owned businesses at scale is not only possible but also profitable. By breaking down barriers, we've laid the foundation to create more jobs and support economic growth," said Mohamed Gouled, IFC's Vice President of Industries.

Through partnerships with 107 financial institutions, WEOF has not only provided women entrepreneurs with access to capital but also equipped them with the tools and knowledge to grow their businesses. Success stories from around the world highlight the initiative's transformative impact -- from Mamounata Velegda in Burkina Faso who expanded her seeds and grain processing factory, creating over 300 jobs, to Munkhtsetseg Jadambaa in Mongolia, who launched a thriving bathtub manufacturing business, employing 24 people and supplying half of the country's residential housing market.

WEOF's decade-long journey has provided critical insights on how to address systemic barriers faced by women entrepreneurs. Designing tailored solutions such as flexible financial products and advisory services is essential to meeting the unique needs of women-owned businesses. Additionally, blended finance, performance-based incentives, and risk-sharing mechanisms have been key to driving portfolio growth. Finally, using data-driven strategies that leverage sex-disaggregated data enables financial institutions to better understand and serve the women's market.

With over 700 million women worldwide still lacking access to financial accounts and the gender financing gap continuing to grow, IFC and Goldman Sachs call on the global community to build on WEOF's momentum and continue investing in women entrepreneurs as the facility concludes its mission.

Report: https://www.ifc.org/en/insights-reports/2025/ifc-goldman-sachs-innovation-investment-impact

About Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women is a global initiative to foster economic growth by providing women entrepreneurs with business education, access to capital, and networks. Since 2008, the program has supported over 320,000 women entrepreneurs. The 10,000 Women curriculum is now available online, expanding access to business education worldwide. Learn more at https://www.gs.com/citizenship/10000women.