The United Nation’s focus for International Women’s Day 2024 (IWD24), ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ and the global campaign theme, for the celebration, ‘Inspire Inclusion’ ring true now more than ever. Women are the backbone of countless communities worldwide, and supporting their entrepreneurial spirit is not just a moral imperative, but a powerful economic driver.
Zenith Bank Ghana understands this deeply, and that is why the Bank is proud to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to empower women-owned and women-led businesses, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.
Z-Woman: a tailored lifestyle service catering to women’s needs
Women entrepreneurs face unique challenges, often juggling business responsibilities with family commitments and societal expectations. Recognizing these unique needs and aspirations, Zenith Bank Ghana offers Z-Woman – a lifestyle service that goes beyond traditional financial services.
Z-Woman provides a comprehensive suite of tools and resources tailored to the realities of women-owned and women-led businesses. This includes access to credit facilities like loans, overdrafts, and working capital solutions, specifically designed to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs.
Additionally, Z-Woman offers convenient and secure online and mobile banking platforms along with budgeting tools and financial literacy workshops to empower women to manage their finances effectively.
Understanding the importance of saving and reinvesting, Z-Woman partners with various businesses to offer exclusive discounts on essential services and tools used by female entrepreneurs. This not only helps them save money but also allows them to channel those savings back into their businesses, fueling their growth and success.
The Z-Woman service offers access to exclusive events and workshops that bring women entrepreneurs together, fostering a supportive network where they can connect, learn from each other’s experiences, and share valuable insights.
Furthermore, Z-Woman provides access to valuable resources like webinars and training programs specifically designed to address the challenges faced by women-owned and women-led businesses. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including business management, marketing, book-keeping and financial literacy, equipping women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of running a successful and profitable business.
As the MD/CEO of Zenith Bank Ghana, Henry Onwuzurigbo states, “Z-Woman is more than just a service; it is a community that empowers women to thrive both personally and professionally. Because we understand the unique challenges and aspirations of women entrepreneurs, Z-Woman was designed to provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed.”
Supporting the broader MSME landscape
Zenith Bank Ghana’s commitment to women’s empowerment extends far beyond individual accounts. The Bank recognises the crucial role of Ghana’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) ecosystem. Recognizing women’s vital role in Ghana’s MSME sector, Zenith Bank Ghana tackles the specific challenges they face, such as limited access to funding, mentorship, and networks.
To address this challenge, Zenith Bank Ghana has joined forces with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) to empower women and sustainable businesses. This strategic partnership tackles a crucial challenge: access to funding for women-owned and women-led MSMEs.
Through partial loan guarantees, AGF shares the risk with Zenith Bank Ghana, making it easier for women entrepreneurs to secure financing and better loan terms and many more packages and incentives.
Another innovative measure from Zenith Bank Ghana is the Zenith SME Business Card which equips card holders with the tools they need to manage their finances effectively, offering features like access to working capital, transaction tracking, and loyalty programs with partner businesses.
By opening an SME Account and completing a simple form in-branch, via a Relationship Manager or online, one can acquire the Zenith SME Business Card to unlock the potential of their businesses.
A call to action
International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the immense potential women hold. By investing in their entrepreneurial spirit, we can unlock economic growth, create jobs, and build a more prosperous and equitable future for all.
Zenith Bank Ghana is committed to being a part of this positive change and invites you to join in supporting women-owned and women-led businesses – not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.
