Building a Better Africa: Elevating Women Through Finance

Women comprise 40% of the world’s workforce, with estimated total global income that is expected to hit US$18 trillion in 2018. Women’s income gains are increasing relative to men. In addition, women’s education achievement is growing in many countries, ensuring that women will make up more and more of the professional workforce going forward.

However, for all of their gains, women do not enjoy equal access to high-quality, demand-driven financial services. For women-owned SMEs, lack of access to financing is a common constraint on business growth — whether that lack of access results from restrictive laws and regulations or from onerous bank requirements.

Ecobank announces $100M loan book dedicated to women run businesses

Ecobank in partnership with the New African magazine will launch on November 27, a webinar focusing on the issues of Access to Finance. Held under the theme: “Elevating Women through Finance”, the webinar will coincide with the launch of Ecobank’s ELLE program, which will see a $100M loan book dedicated to women run businesses.

About the ELLE program

Ecobank aims to offer women an end-to-end partnership in which they can gain access to not only financial services, but also financial education, information on products and services, networks and recognition. With this in mind, Ecobank is launching ELLE program that delivers on the following:

• Access to finance that is “collateral-light”
• Focus on sectors that are relevant to women and predominantly driven/operated by women

The program will officially launch on November 27, join us to find out more details and how to apply!