Yemeni Women’s Financial Inclusion: The Case of Al-Kuraimi Islamic Bank

Abstract

This study examines the structural and sociocultural barriers that limit Yemeni women’s access to formal banking, using Al-Kuraimi Islamic Microfinance Bank as a case study. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, including a digital survey of 809 women across 14 governorates and in-depth interviews, this research highlights key obstacles to the financial inclusion of Yemeni women. Despite modest growth in female account ownership, 61% of the surveyed women remain unbanked, and many of them expressed disinterest in account ownership. Barriers to account ownership include lack of income, distrust of financial institutions, mobility constraints and documentation requirements, compounded by patriarchal norms such as male guardian consent. Islamic microfinance and mobile money services offer promise for expanding financial inclusion, particularly in conservative and rural areas. The findings of this study also explore how women use financial services for remittances, bill payments, online commerce and microenterprise development. The study underscores the importance of trust-building, gender-sensitive banking practices and simplified procedures. It argues that financial inclusion, when responsive to local realities, can enhance women’s economic agency, resilience and participation in peacebuilding.