Ellevate: A New Programmed Supporting Women-led Businesses

A program named Ellevate has been launched by the leading independent pan-African banking group, Ecobank Group. The new programme is targeted at women-owned and women-focused companies operating in Africa across several markets.

Ellevate aims to empower women, through personalized financial solutions with added value, to expand their businesses.

Josephine Anan-Ankomah, Group Executive for Commercial Banking at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, explains in an In an official press release that Ellevate assists women-led businesses with reaching their potential.

“In developing Ellevate, we made time to understand the needs of women, what they really require from their bankers, and came up with practical solutions that will help bridge the identified gaps. Ellevate is an end-to-end comprehensive product suite that supports women-owned and women-focused businesses with differentiated business solutions that will unleash their potential.”

The Ellevate program offers the opportunity for women-owned and women-focused businesses to expand through the financial and realistic solutions provided through Ellevate in the business ecosystem.

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Empowering Women

It is estimated that Africa has the largest number of women entrepreneurs in the world, with women accounting for around half of Africa’s population. Small to medium-sized enterprises are estimated to make up 90% of Africa’s enterprises, and women own around one-third of all registered SMEs in Africa. One in four African adult females launches or runs a business.

Myriam Dossou-D’ Almeida, Minister of Grassroots Development, Youth and Youth Employment, Republic of Togo, states that women are the driving force behind economic growth and that inclusivity remains at the forefront of the Ellevate programme.

“The Government recognises the contribution women are making to the socio-economic development of Africa. We believe women are the catalyst for change and prosperity. The Government of Togo continues to develop and implement policies and programmes that will promote the economic empowerment of women of all ages and social status. Togolese women have always played a critical role in the economy. We are pleased to see that the Ecobank Group, through the Ellevate programme, offers to women an opportunity to take their rightful place in the economic development of our country and indeed across the continent. We will work with the private sector to tap into this great potential of African women and create inclusive business opportunities.”