Maya is working with SPARK! Philippines (Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran Inc.), a non-profit organization advancing gender-responsive policies and women’s leadership, as part of its flagship sustainability initiative for women’s financing under its broader financial health agenda.
As Maya expands access to digital financial services for women micro-entrepreneurs, including payments, savings and credit, it is tapping SPARK! Philippines to complement these efforts through training, mentorship, advocacy and community-based support, recognizing that helping women grow their businesses requires more than financing alone.
“This is a segment that remains underserved despite its scale,” said Toff Rada, Head of Corporate Affairs at Maya. “Our focus is to provide women-led micro businesses with practical tools and support, including financial education, that can help them manage daily operations and build more sustainable income over time.”
“Women micro-entrepreneurs are already driving economic activity in their communities, but many still face barriers beyond access to financing,” said Maica Teves, Executive Director of SPARK! Philippines. “By working with Maya, we aim to bring training, mentorship and community-based support closer to them, helping strengthen and sustain their businesses.”
Women play a central role in the Philippine MSME sector, with various studies indicating that more than half of small businesses are owned or led by women. Women also account for a significant share of new business formation in the country.
MSMEs account for 99.5% of all formal businesses, employ about 63% of the workforce and contribute roughly 40% of economic output, according to data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Despite this, women-led enterprises remain underserved.
A 2023 study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) found that only about 28% of women-led MSMEs adopt digital financial services, compared to 44% of male-led businesses—highlighting gaps in access to tools that support growth and financial stability.
Maya’s own network points to the opportunity when these gaps are addressed. More than 90% of its nationwide Maya Centers are operated by women, many of whom run sari-sari stores and other neighborhood businesses.
Through its Maya Business app, Maya enables MSMEs to accept digital payments, manage transactions and access financial services in one place. This helps simplify daily operations and improve cash flow. Eligible businesses can also access short-term credit to support working capital needs, such as restocking inventory and managing day-to-day expenses.
The collaboration reflects Maya’s approach to financial health—expanding access to financial services while ensuring these are used in ways that help women entrepreneurs grow, manage their businesses, and build more resilient livelihoods.
