Ecobank’s Ellevate is transforming women-led businesses in Africa through integrated finance, skills, and market access.
Launched in 2020 and now active in more than 32 African countries, the programme has grown into a powerful ecosystem supporting over 103,000 women entrepreneurs.
At its core, Ellevate addresses one of the biggest barriers facing women in business—access to capital. In 2025 alone, the initiative facilitated the disbursement of $780 million in loans, enabling women to start, sustain, and scale enterprises across sectors such as trade, agribusiness, mining, hospitality, education, logistics, and the creative economy.
Beyond financing, Ellevate strengthens entrepreneurial capacity through targeted training in leadership, financial management, and business strategy. Through partnerships with institutions like Goldman Sachs and the International Finance Corporation under the 10,000 Women initiative, participants gain practical skills that improve business performance and long-term resilience.
Market access is another critical pillar. Through platforms like MyTradeHub, women entrepreneurs are connected to regional and global markets, helping them expand their customer base and compete more effectively.
Expanding Opportunities through Targeted Gender Initiatives
Despite progress, women-owned businesses across Africa remain underfunded, with fewer than 20% of women-led SMEs in West Africa able to access adequate financing. Ecobank is tackling this gap through a multi-layered approach:
- Innovative financing tools: Including instruments like the Gender Bond issued by Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, designed to mobilise capital specifically for women-owned enterprises.
- Capacity-building partnerships: Delivering training programmes that equip women with skills in finance, marketing, and growth strategy.
- Grassroots empowerment: Through initiatives like the MAMA Programme in Ghana, implemented by Pan-African Savings and Loans, which has already supported over 10,000 women in the informal sector. The programme has provided more than $1.8 million in subsidised credit, reached over 2,000 women directly, and delivered 150+ financial and digital training sessions—helping women formalise and grow their businesses while linking them to the broader Ellevate network.
Driving Impact through Global Collaboration
Ecobank’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment is further strengthened through global alliances. Group CEO Jeremy Awori is a member of the Women LEAD Alliance, a platform convened by the International Finance Corporation that brings together private-sector leaders to expand access to finance, networks, and growth opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Africa.
By integrating finance, knowledge, and market access, Ellevate by Ecobank goes beyond traditional banking. It creates a comprehensive support system that enables women entrepreneurs not only to survive, but to scale, compete, and lead in Africa’s evolving economic landscape.
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