Hyderabad: SAFCO Microfinance Company (Private) Limited (SMCL) held a ceremony at its Hyderabad headquarters to celebrate receiving the prestigious WOMANi Championship Award for Financial Inclusion 2026, with senior officials of SAFCO Group institutions congratulating SAFCO Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Suleman G. Abro on the international recognition.
Addressing the ceremony, Dr Suleman G. Abro said global recognition was never achieved overnight, adding that the achievement reflected years of collective effort, perseverance, commitment and consistency. He said a clear vision, confidence, courage, knowledge and the ability to translate ideas into action were essential for sustainable success.
Recalling SAFCO’s journey, Dr Abro said the organisation had started its work with limited resources and faced considerable challenges in a difficult political and social environment. Despite inadequate equipment, financial resources and facilities in its early years, he said, SAFCO remained committed to its mission and continued to move forward with determination and confidence.
He said SAFCO had maintained a longstanding commitment to women’s development and economic empowerment, undertaking programmes in Sindh and other parts of Pakistan on women’s rights, gender equality, women’s economic participation and issues such as honour killings. He also recalled his participation in the global women’s development process following the Beijing Conference and said SAFCO’s work had subsequently been presented at various national and international forums.
Dr Abro said the international award was not the achievement of an individual but the outcome of the collective efforts of the people associated with SAFCO. He said the recognition also carried an added responsibility to further strengthen the organisation’s mission and continue working for financial inclusion and inclusive development.
Speaking on the occasion, SMCL Managing Director Syed Sajjad Ali Shah said SAFCO’s achievement was not the result of recent efforts alone but reflected a difficult journey spanning four to four-and-a-half decades, during which working amid challenging political and social conditions had itself been a major challenge.
He said SAFCO had started its financial services journey in 1994 with Rs 5,000 and had since grown to an institution handling billions of rupees. He described the international award as recognition of the organisation’s long-term struggle, resilience and commitment.
Senior representatives of SAFCO Microfinance Company, Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organization (SAFWCO) and SAFCO Support Foundation attended the ceremony. Bashir Ahmed Abro of SAFCO Support Foundation, SAFWCO Executive Director Zeeshan Memon and others also addressed the gathering and congratulated Dr Abro and the SAFCO team on the international recognition. The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting to celebrate the achievement.
