How Mama Bank Got Its License

The journey of Mama Bank began in 2006 with the establishment of the City Mothers Business Foundation by the late Janet Sape, a former banker and passionate advocate for women's economic empowerment in Papua New Guinea.

the organisation was renamed the PNG Women in Business Foundation. During the same year, the National Executive Council (NEC) approved the establishment of a dedicated women's bank for Papua New Guinea, marking a significant milestone towards greater financial inclusion.

To advance this vision, the organisation was incorporated in 2010 as PNG Women in Business Microfinance Institution Ltd, laying the legal and institutional foundation for the proposed bank.

Transitioning to a formalized micro-banking structure required fulfilling strict licensing terms set by the central bank under Section 10 of the Banks and Financial Institutions Act 2000, including:

• Demonstrating tier-1 microfinance capital adequacy.
• Formulating a structure 100% owned by the women community.
• Settling statutory licensing application fees.

In April 2014, the institution adopted the name Women's Micro Bank Limited (Mama Bank). The Bank of Papua New Guinea granted the banking licence in May 2014, and banking operations officially commenced in August 2014 with the opening of its first branch in Port Moresby.