Dr Priti Adani Leads Swabhimaan Programme’s Expansion to Empower 10 Lakh Women Entrepreneurs Across India

The Adani Foundation announces a major expansion of Swabhimaan to empower 10 lakh women entrepreneurs across India, starting in Maharashtra. The programme delivers skill development, financial and digital literacy, plus market access, through a public–private partnership with Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal to strengthen women’s livelihoods.

The Adani Foundation has announced a major expansion of its women’s empowerment initiative, Swabhimaan, with a target to support and enable 10 lakh women entrepreneurs across India. The announcement was made during the event titled "Swabhimaan – The Rise of She" held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai on Thursday.

The programme aims to strengthen women’s livelihoods by providing skill development, entrepreneurship training, financial literacy and digital literacy. The expansion comes as the Adani Foundation prepares to mark its 30th anniversary on August 11, 2026. The first phase of the expanded initiative will focus on Maharashtra, where the programme aims to empower one lakh women within the first year. The initiative seeks to create new opportunities for women-led micro enterprises and grassroots entrepreneurship.

The Swabhimaan programme is being implemented in partnership with Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, the Government of Maharashtra’s nodal agency for women’s economic empowerment and self-help group development, under a public–private partnership model. The programme has already supported more than 4,500 women from underserved communities in Mumbai by helping them build sustainable livelihoods through training, enterprise development and financial awareness.

The event was attended by Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, and Shilin Adani, Trustee of the Foundation. Maharashtra’s Minister for Women and Child Development Aditi Tatkare, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal Managing Director Nandini Awade were also present.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was unable to attend due to an urgent meeting, shared a message congratulating the Adani Group and the Adani Foundation for their social initiatives in Mumbai and across the state.

During the event, dignitaries inaugurated Swateja Mart, a women-led community marketplace in Mumbai designed to provide women entrepreneurs with training, market access and a platform to sell their products through both online and offline channels. A cloud kitchen operating under the Swateja Mart initiative was also launched.

A coffee table book featuring stories of women whose lives have been transformed through the Swabhimaan programme was also unveiled at the event. The initiative has already enabled more than 800 women in Mumbai to become "Lakhpati Didis", highlighting the potential of structured livelihood and enterprise support in improving household incomes.

Aditi Tatkare said the programme has emerged as an effective model for women’s empowerment by strengthening financial literacy and entrepreneurial capabilities. She noted that such initiatives complement government programmes aimed at improving women’s financial independence.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde said the growing participation of women in entrepreneurship reflects a visible shift in communities across the city, including areas such as Dharavi. She said initiatives like Swabhimaan are helping underprivileged women gain financial confidence and develop entrepreneurial skills.

Dr Priti Adani said empowering women is one of the most effective ways to strengthen communities and build resilient local economies. She said the journeys of women entrepreneurs in Mumbai demonstrate the impact that structured support systems can create.

Under the programme, participants receive training in entrepreneurship, financial management and livelihood skills, along with mentorship, market linkages and enterprise guidance. Many women have already launched home-based businesses and collective ventures that contribute to household incomes and community development.

The Adani Foundation currently reaches more than 9.6 million people across over 7,000 villages in 22 states through initiatives focused on education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, climate action and community development.

With the national expansion of Swabhimaan, the initiative aims to evolve into one of India’s largest women-led livelihood movements, supporting women to become entrepreneurs, community leaders and contributors to local economic growth.