DESIGNING ISLAMIC FINANCIAL PRODUCTS FOR MUSLIM FEMALE DOMESTIC WORKERS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: A HUMAN-CENTERED APPROACH

Abstract

Financial exclusion remains a significant challenge for Muslim female domestic workers in Northern Nigeria, driven by socio-economic, cultural, and religious barriers. This study adopts a human-centered design (HCD) approach to propose Shari’ah-compliant financial products integrated with digital financial services (DFS) that align with women lived realities. Using a qualitative and conceptual methodology, the study synthesizes evidence from literature, policy documents, and empirical findings to explore user needs, access barriers, and financial behavior among this underserved group. Guided by an HCD framework, empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test, the paper outlines product models anchored on Islamic finance principles such as Mudarabah, Musharakah, and Qard al-Hasan. Findings reveal that financial inclusion and empowerment are enhanced when products leverage female agent networks, USSD and voice-based platforms, and Islamic social finance instruments like Zakat and Waqf to deliver interest-free, trust-based financial solutions. The study concludes that the integration of Islamic finance ethics, human-centered innovation, and digital technology presents a viable pathway for advancing equitable, sustainable, and faith-aligned financial inclusion among marginalized Muslim women in Northern Nigeria.