To celebrate Women’s World Banking’s 45th anniversary, we are showcasing voices from around the world who have shaped our journey since 1979—from the Commission on the Status of Women to today. These stories reflect the impact of Women’s World Banking across the women we serve, our customers, and the allies driving financial inclusion forward.
For decades, traditional financial services have overlooked low-income women, failing to recognize their economic potential and the unique challenges they face in accessing credit and financial tools. But through innovative partnerships, this reality is beginning to change. Brigitte Brousset, a steadfast advocate for women’s financial empowerment, is at the forefront of this shift. As a key leader at Mercado Libre—Latin America’s largest e-commerce platform—she has played a crucial role in advancing financial inclusion through unconventional means. Mercado Libre’s collaboration with Women’s World Banking stands as a pioneering example of how fintech and digital marketplaces can serve as powerful engines for economic change, equipping women entrepreneurs with access to capital, digital payments, and new opportunities for growth.
A Lifelong Advocate for Women’s Economic Power
Brigitte’s commitment to breaking down barriers for women entrepreneurs is deeply personal. “I have been an ambassador for women since I was a kid—not just because I am a woman, but because I had so many aspirational examples around me who inspired me to be who I am today,” she shares. However, as she grew older, she became acutely aware of the systemic challenges that women face, particularly in the financial realm.
Despite studies consistently proving that women are strong financial actors—demonstrating higher repayment rates on loans, reinvesting more in their families and communities, and generating strong returns—many financial institutions still struggle to serve them effectively. “These challenges fuel my quest for financial inclusion,” Brigitte explains. “They don’t just speak to limitations; they highlight the immense potential that remains untapped.”
Pioneering Inclusion Through E-Commerce
Recognizing that access to financial tools is essential for women entrepreneurs to thrive, Brigitte helped shape Mercado Libre’s approach to closing the financial gender gap. Mercado Libre became Women’s World Banking’s first e-commerce partner, marking a turning point in how digital platforms can support financial inclusion. “In Mercado Libre, we have always been committed to increasing access to commercial and financial solutions, so this collaboration came naturally,” she says.
One of the key insights from the partnership has been the recognition that women often require different types of communication and information to make financial decisions. “This is a quick win any marketplace can implement,” Brigitte explains. By providing tailored guidance and financial education, Mercado Libre is ensuring that women entrepreneurs feel equipped to leverage digital tools for their businesses.
Closing the Credit Gap with Data-Driven Solutions
Access to credit remains a significant barrier for many women-led businesses, but Mercado Libre is working to change that. Currently, 15% of the women-owned MSMEs on the platform receive credit—five percentage points above the national average. This success stems from an innovative, data-driven approach.
Rather than using gender as a variable in credit decision-making, Mercado Libre remains “gender-agnostic,” allowing the platform to assess all entrepreneurs on an equal footing. Furthermore, its risk model takes into account transactional data from sellers’ interactions in the ecosystem, making credit offers more accessible and reflective of real business performance. “We don’t just rely on traditional lending criteria that often exclude small businesses,” Brigitte explains. “We use sales data and trends to ensure credit access aligns with the real needs of entrepreneurs.”
Beyond Access: Designing Financial Solutions for Women’s Realities
Providing access to credit is just one piece of the puzzle. Brigitte emphasizes that financial products must be designed with women’s unique business cycles and cash flow patterns in mind. Mercado Libre has adapted its credit offerings by using risk models that consider historical sales, allowing for more stable and predictable loan structures.
Additionally, beyond financial services, the company is addressing other critical barriers, such as digital literacy and confidence gaps.
“We’ve dispelled the myth that women are more risk-averse,” Brigitte says. “What we’ve found is that women are averse to making uninformed decisions. Financial institutions have a responsibility to bridge this gap by providing clear information and guidance.”
The Power of Partnerships and What’s Next
The collaboration between Mercado Libre and Women’s World Banking has demonstrated how fintech and e-commerce can work hand-in-hand to support women entrepreneurs. Brigitte sees this as just the beginning. “The mix of Women’s World Banking’s experience in financial inclusion and Mercado Libre’s agility to learn and adapt has created a powerful synergy,” she says. “This partnership has deepened our understanding of our users and allowed us to transform insights into high-impact actions.”
Looking ahead, Mercado Libre is committed to further democratizing e-commerce and financial services across Latin America. “Supporting women entrepreneurs isn’t just an initiative—it’s at the heart of our mission,” Brigitte asserts. With over 100 million unique buyers and 60 million monthly active users on Mercado Pago, the platform is uniquely positioned to continue driving change at scale.
As Mercado Libre grows, so too does its potential to expand financial inclusion, ensuring that women entrepreneurs across Latin America have the tools and support they need to succeed. Brigitte Brousset’s vision and leadership stand as a testament to what’s possible when financial innovation meets a commitment to social impact. The future of financial inclusion isn’t just about banking—it’s about reimagining the entire economic ecosystem to work for women, and through her work, Brigitte is proving that change is not only possible but already happening.
Women’s World Banking remains committed to economic empowerment through financial inclusion for nearly one billion women who lack access to formal financial services. Our approach—rooted in market research and advocacy—translates insights into real action, from digital financial solutions to gender lens investing and workplace leadership programs.
As part of our strategy, we’ve already helped 86 million women in emerging markets access financial products that transform their lives. We’re on track to reach 100 million by 2027, driving inclusive growth globally.
Let’s close the financial gap. Join us in reaching the nearly billion women still excluded from the formal financial system. Donate today.
