Ecobank Expands Financing to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

Monday, March 3, 2025

非洲记者报道,

LOMÉ, Togo – Ecobank has reinforced its commitment to bridging the gender-financing gap in Africa by significantly expanding its award-winning Ellevate programme. Designed to empower women-led, women-owned, and women-focused businesses, Ellevate now extends beyond corporate and SME sectors to include individual entrepreneurs and those operating in the informal economy. This initiative recognizes the vast economic potential of women entrepreneurs and aims to provide them with the necessary financial tools to thrive.

The World Bank estimates that closing Africa’s gender gap could add $2.5 trillion to the continent’s GDP by 2025. Recognizing this, Ecobank has structured Ellevate to provide targeted financial and non-financial solutions, ensuring that women entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to grow their businesses. The programme now serves not only Commercial Banking customers but also extends to Consumer and Corporate Banking clients. Female business leaders within Corporate Banking will play a mentoring role, fostering a dynamic network that encourages peer learning and knowledge-sharing. This enhanced scope allows more women entrepreneurs to access vital resources tailored to their unique needs.

Jeremy Awori, Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Group, emphasized the bank’s strategic commitment to supporting women-led enterprises. “Women entrepreneurs are a driving force of Africa’s socio-economic growth. Since the launch of Ellevate, we have disbursed over $200 million in loans, created valuable networking opportunities, and delivered leadership and capacity-building training for businesswomen. The evolution of Ellevate is a testament to our commitment to further amplifying these efforts.”

The expansion of Ellevate brings new, tailored value propositions, including increased access to unsecured loans of up to $50,000, competitive interest rates, and relaxed collateral requirements. The programme also accommodates customers with only a two-year business track record, compared to the industry standard of three years. Beyond financial support, Ecobank is enhancing market access for women-led businesses through its MyTradeHub platform, which connects entrepreneurs with new clients and trade opportunities across the continent. Additionally, Ellevate includes training, knowledge-sharing webinars, and business development resources to strengthen the leadership and operational capabilities of women entrepreneurs.

To support long-term financial security, the programme integrates wealth management services and insurance solutions. A dedicated loyalty programme provides exclusive benefits, including retail and recreational discounts, reinforcing Ecobank’s holistic approach to financial empowerment. These enhancements position Ellevate as a premier offering that aligns with the bank’s broader Growth, Transformation, and Returns strategy while advancing gender equality and sustainable development.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Ecobank will roll out the enhanced Ellevate programme across nine key markets—Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Senegal, Togo, and Zimbabwe—by the end of March 2025. A phased rollout will follow, ensuring that all sub-Saharan African affiliates benefit from the expanded programme throughout the year.