By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])
Ecobank Ghana has launched an enhanced version of its flagship women-focused programme – ‘Ellevate by Ecobank’, aimed at deepening support for women entrepreneurs across all stages of business growth.
The new enhanced programme offers a broader range of financial and non-financial solutions tailored for women entrepreneurs across all Ecobank’s business segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking.
It is also designed to support women entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey.
Key benefits of the enhanced Ellevate include increasing access to finance with unsecured loans of up to US$50,000; Accommodating customers with a two-year track record instead of the industry-standard three years; and Competitive interest rates and favourable collateral requirements – collateral-free loans of up to GHȼ750,000.
the programme brief outlined other benefits, including “Helping them to find new customers and access new markets across Africa through Ecobank innovative online matchmaking MyTradeHub platform; Training, knowledge sharing webinars, support and other initiatives to enhance customers’ business and leadership skills; Customised wealth management services; A one-stop shop to meet insurance needs; and a loyalty programme providing exclusive offers and discounts at select retail stores and recreation centres”.
Originally launched in 2020, the Ellevate programme earlier focused on the Commercial Banking segment and impacted over 10,000 women-led and women-focused businesses, disbursing loans totalling US$84million and customer deposits of US$173million.
The refreshed programme was launched alongside the commemoration of 2025 International Women’s Day and Ecobank’s Client Appreciation Day under the theme ‘A Better Way to Grow Together’.
In her keynote address, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Mrs. Abena Osei-Poku, described the launch as a significant milestone in the bank’s commitment to empowering women in business.
“Ghana’s businesswomen have already experienced the immense value of Ellevate by Ecobank. The launch of this enhanced programme extends our value proposition and reinforces our intent to remain the bank of choice for women entrepreneurs,” she stated.
Mrs. Osei-Poku emphasised: “African businesswomen deserve the best banking products and services to support their growth and profitability. Alongside financial solutions, we provide digital payments, capacity-building training and advisory services to build leadership and business skills”.
She added that the upgraded programme reflects Ecobank’s continuous efforts toward financial inclusion and advancing gender equality in the business ecosystem.
“African businesswomen deserve the best possible banking products, services and solutions to help facilitate their businesses’ turnover, profitability and commercial growth,” she added.
Head of Commercial Banking at Ecobank Ghana, Mrs. Charlotte Amanquah, reiterated the bank’s dedication to supporting women-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“As a bank, we recognise the vital role that SMEs and women-led businesses play in driving economic development and creating sustainable livelihoods on our continent. The enhanced Ellevate programme is, thus, designed to provide tailored financial solutions, capacity-building opportunities and a supportive network to help these businesses thrive,” she remarked.
For her part, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, in a speech read on her behalf by the Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management – Mrs. Mabel Coudjoe, highlighted the role of women in the country’s economy, particularly in agriculture, trade and the informal sector.
Yet, despite these contributions, she expressed concern over the persistent challenges faced by women, including limited access to land, credit, training and modern farming inputs.
She, therefore, commended Ecobank Ghana for taking a bold step through the Ellevate programme to bridge these gaps, and for its dedication to empowering women across all levels of society.
The launch event drew a high-level audience – including Presidential Advisor & Special Aide to the President, Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari; representatives of women’s groups and female entrepreneurs who operate from different sectors – to propel the growth of the economy.
