Podcast: A Journey with Changemakers in Inclusive Finance and Social Entrepreneurship #2
Episode 2: From Economist to Women's Champion – Roshaneh Zafar's Vision for Financial Inclusion
Discover the podcast: Episode 2
Welcome to our podcast series
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation continues its podcast series that brings you transformative stories of game-changing leaders from the Grameen family who are reshaping the landscape of inclusive finance and social business across the globe. In this second episode, we sit down with Roshaneh Zafar, founder and CEO of the KASHF Foundation, to explore her remarkable 30-year journey from economist to visionary leader in women's financial empowerment.
What you'll discover
Roshaneh Zafar shares how KASHF Foundation has evolved from a bold vision inspired by Professor Muhammad Yunus into one of leading microfinance institutions in Pakistan, reaching nearly 18 million individuals. Discover how listening to women's needs led to the creation of innovative, integrated financial solutions from microcredit to micro-insurance, and micro-pensions—all guided by a powerful commitment to gender equity and women's agency.
Key Highlights
• The power of a mentor's belief : How Professor Muhammad Yunus's confidence and guidance transformed a young economist's career
• Breaking down barriers : Understanding the multi-layered obstacles women face—from birth through entrepreneurship—and how KASHF Foundation systematically addresses them through integrated services
• From credit to transformation : The evolution from micro loans to comprehensive financial services including micro-insurance tailored to specific trades and innovative micro-pension products that enable long-term planning
• Holistic financial inclusion : How understanding women's multitasking realities led to designing products that address their interconnected financial needs—business, family, health, and future security
• Pioneering financial innovation : KASHF's groundbreaking achievements, including Pakistan's first gender bond and South Asia's first gender Sukuk (Islamic bond), bringing capital markets to women entrepreneurs
• The value of partnerships : How strategic collaborations with investors, insurance companies, and organizations sharing core values have been essential to scaling impact
Why this matters
In a world where poverty has a distinctly feminine face, Roshaneh Zafar's approach shows how strategic innovation, rooted in understanding women's real needs and challenges, can scale transformative impact and inspire a global movement.
This episode is particularly timely as the Grameen family strengthens collaboration to amplify collective impact on women's empowerment and financial inclusion.
Perfect for
Impact investors, social entrepreneurs, development professionals, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, women's rights advocates, and anyone passionate about creating meaningful change through finance, business, and gender equity.
Key quote
"This is not a transaction. This is about transformation. Be value-driven, understand the impact you want to create, and build your strategy from there". – Roshaneh Zafar
Listen now and be inspired by a leader who truly makes a difference.
" A Journey for Change in Inclusive Finance and Social Business " – Where impact meets innovation.
Subscribe to our podcast series to stay updated on upcoming episodes featuring other transformative leaders from the Grameen family who are driving change across continents and sectors.
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