As 2026 gets underway, the Alliance is launching our most dynamic program yet. This year, we’re focused on three strategic priorities: scaling Women’s Markets propositions globally, exploring new segments and segmentation strategies, and navigating how new technology will impact women’s financial inclusion.
Scaling Women’s Markets Propositions
Our acclaimed All-Stars Academy kicks off the year with an intensive five-day training program in Amman, Jordan, running February 1-5. Hosted by Bank al Etihad, this members-only program walks participants through the actions needed to design and implement a Women’s Markets strategy, and culminates in a pitch competition. To learn more about becoming a member of the Alliance and taking part in this unique learning opportunity in future years, visit our Join us page.
Cohort 19 of our Mentoring Program launched on January 22. This program has been a game-changer for many members, enabling them to get advice from fellow members with more advanced Women’s Markets and internal workforce DEI strategies. Mentoring pairs commit to six conversations over six months with participants taking away targeted, relevant and actionable insights.
In March, we’re bringing our Women’s Markets Playbook training to East Africa with in-country training in Kenya and Uganda in partnership with Financial Sector Deepening Kenya and Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) respectively. This practical training guides financial services providers through the building blocks of developing a program for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (WMSMEs) and is part of national champions support for WE Finance Code signatories.
Our 2026 Annual Summit will take place in Uzbekistan. This premier gathering of financial sector leaders and policymakers will feature expert panels, fireside chats and strategic and social networking opportunities, alongside an exclusive members’ session. Dates to be confirmed shortly.
The Gender Data Learning Series returns in Q2, building on the outstanding success of our 2025 program which achieved a 4.9/5 participant satisfaction rating. This intensive course offers financial services providers a comprehensive foundation in portfolio data disaggregation and analysis––a must-have capability for any financial institution to create a successful Women’s Markets proposition.
Exploring New Segments and Segmentation Strategies
A new working group exploring “Pathways to Scale: Emerging Segments” will launch in Q2, focused on two cohorts: Youth and Young Entrepreneurs (18-34) and the ‘Silver Economy’ (50+). The focus will be on understanding the opportunity and business case for these two emerging segments; designing compelling value propositions; integrating a gender lens; and leveraging existing Women’s Markets Programs. Both segments offer a huge opportunity for financial services providers that take a gender-intelligent approach, with Gen Z’s global spending power expected to reach $12 trillion by 2030[i], and the global ‘Silver Economy’ valued up to $22 trillion annually[ii]. The deliberations of the working group will be made available to members through an InBrief.
In Q3, the Alliance will launch an e-Learning Series on the new Segmentation Toolkit that supports financial services providers to better understand their clients, tailor product offerings, and increase service uptake across different WSME profiles. More information can be found here.
Navigating Technology Challenges and Opportunities
Artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrencies and blockchain are all changing the nature of financial services, enabling greater access with potential to add real value. Our quarterly Ask the Expert sessions in 2026 will focus on game-changing financial technologies, kicking off February 26 with a timely session on stablecoin and the implications for women’s financial inclusion.
The Employee Value Proposition (EVP) Task Force will host a special session on HR Tech and AI on March 26. As financial institutions increasingly adopt AI-powered tools for hiring, performance management and workforce planning, it is essential to ensure these systems advance rather than undermine gender equity.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your foundational strategy, explore new customer segments, or stay ahead of technological change while keeping women at the center, our 2026 program suite offers the insights, practical tools and networks needed to succeed. We invite you to engage with these opportunities throughout the year and join us in building a more inclusive financial future.
For access to all our services and our incredible network, consider becoming a member of the Financial Alliance for Women. Visit our Join us page, or email: info@financialallianceforwomen.org
[i] https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/consumer-markets/library/gen-z-consumer-trends.html
[ii] https://bidlab.org/en/blog/silver-economy-three-pillars-more-productive-longevity
