20-07-2025
Widening financial literacy for women of colour in the UAE
Injeel Moti is a woman on mission. Hailing from a typical South Asian household, she has seen that how money was a taboo topic.
'Most financial education platforms didn't speak to us, our cultural nuances, or our unique challenges,' Moti, founder and community lead at Brown Girls Invest, said.
Excerpts from an interview:
1. What inspired the creation of Brown Girls Invest, and what gap did you see in the financial education space?
I started Brown Girls Invest because I realized how few conversations women especially women of colour in our region are having about money. Growing up in a South Asian household in GCC, money felt like a taboo topic, and most financial education platforms didn't speak to us, our cultural nuances, or our unique challenges. BGI was born to change that, to create a safe, relatable space where women can learn, ask questions freely, and build financial confidence without judgment.
2. How do you define success for BGI over the next three years?
For me, success isn't just about numbers—it's about impact. If, in three years, we can look back and see hundreds of women who've started investing, negotiated better financial terms for themselves, or simply feel more confident managing their money, that's success.
We also want to grow BGI into a recognized, trusted community for women across the Middle East. Our debut event in late June was a huge step in that direction, it brought together an incredible group of women, from their early 20s to their 60s. The energy in the room was electric: the curiosity to learn, the willingness to share, and the collective ambition to grow financial knowledge was exactly the kind of encouragement I needed. It's moments like that which motivate me even more to keep building this community.
3. How is BGI's model different from other financial literacy platforms?
What sets us apart is our community-first approach. BGI is not just a course or a workshop—it's a space where women can talk openly about money, share experiences, and learn in a way that feels approachable and culturally relevant. Our sessions are designed to be jargon-free, beginner-friendly, and tailored to women in this region, which you don't often see in global financial platforms.
4. Are you open to collaborations with corporates or financial institutions? If so, what would an ideal partnership look like?
Absolutely. Partnerships are key to making financial education more accessible. The ideal collaboration would be with brands or financial institutions that genuinely care about empowering women—whether that's through sponsoring our workshops, providing expert speakers, or even developing tailored financial products designed for women. It has to feel authentic, not just a tick-box CSR exercise.
We're also actively exploring partnerships with co-working spaces and incubators, as many young and first-time founders operate out of these hubs. They are very much part of our target audience and could benefit immensely from the knowledge and support the BGI community provides.
Additionally, we aim to work closely with women-centric community groups & universities across the region to reach and engage even more women who can benefit from financial education and collective learning.
5. How do you fund your programmes, and are you looking for sponsorship or investment?
Right now, we're primarily self-funded, and some of our programmes are supported through paid workshops. But yes, we're actively looking at sponsorships and impact-driven investment partners who share our vision. Funding will help us scale faster, create better resources, and make our programs more accessible, especially for women who can't afford expensive financial courses.
6. What are the biggest opportunities you see for growth and scale across the Middle East?
The appetite for financial literacy is growing, especially among young women. There's a huge opportunity to expand into other emirates within UAE and GCC where resources are scarce, partner with fintech platforms to make investing simpler, and even create Arabic-language content for wider reach. The Middle East is at a tipping point for women-led financial conversations, and BGI wants to be at the heart of it.
7. What are your plans for the next five years?
In five years, I want BGI to be the go-to financial education community for women in the region, with chapters across the GCC, a robust online learning platform, and mentorship programmes connecting women to financial experts. We're also exploring certifications and partnerships with schools and universities to start financial education earlier.
8. How can one get involved with BGI?
There are so many ways! You can attend our workshops, join our WhatsApp community, sign up for our courses that are set to launch in September this year, or even volunteer as a mentor or speaker if you have expertise to share. As we are still in the building phase, we're always open to collaborations with like-minded brands and individuals who believe in financial empowerment for women.
