Ecobank Nigeria has unveiled an upgraded version of its gender financing initiative, Ellevate by Ecobank, as part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026, reinforcing its commitment to advancing women-led enterprises across Nigeria and the continent.
The bank, a subsidiary of Ecobank Group, said the enhanced programme expands the scope of the multi-award-winning initiative beyond its original Commercial Banking segment to cover all business segments, creating a broader and more inclusive support ecosystem for women entrepreneurs.
Originally launched in Nigeria in July 2021 to improve access to finance for women-owned, women-led and women-focused small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, the restructured Ellevate framework now addresses wider structural barriers limiting the growth of female entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, said the upgraded initiative strengthens the bank’s ambition to be the financial partner of choice for women in business.
“Since its launch in Nigeria in July 2021, Ellevate has delivered meaningful impact for SMEs and women-led businesses. This next phase deepens our value proposition and reinforces our resolve to remain the preferred financial partner for women entrepreneurs,” Lawal said.
Under the expanded structure, beneficiaries will have improved access to credit on competitive terms, including more flexible collateral requirements designed to ease traditional financing constraints. The programme also integrates digital payment, collections and cash management solutions to boost operational efficiency and support business scalability.
A key component of the enhancement is structured market access. Through the bank’s MyTradeHub online matchmaking platform and e-commerce enablement tools, women entrepreneurs will be able to connect with customers and trade partners across Africa, enabling cross-border expansion and participation in regional value chains.
Beyond financing, the initiative incorporates non-financial support such as targeted training programmes, leadership development sessions and knowledge-sharing platforms to strengthen managerial capacity and long-term sustainability.
Participants will also have access to customised wealth management advisory services, integrated insurance solutions and a loyalty framework offering commercial incentives through select retail and lifestyle partnerships.
Lawal noted that the programme aligns with the bank’s broader objective of driving inclusive growth by empowering women as key contributors to economic development.
“African businesswomen deserve world-class banking solutions that drive turnover, profitability and sustainable growth. Our approach goes beyond financial inclusion to building an enabling ecosystem that enhances competitiveness and long-term resilience,” he added.
Ecobank Nigeria also highlighted its continued support for women-owned businesses through flagship platforms such as Adire Lagos, Oja Oge, +234Art Fair, the Lagos Pop-Up Museum, SME Bazaar and the Design & Build Exhibition, which provide opportunities for visibility and market access.
With the latest enhancement, the bank said it is deepening its strategic positioning in gender-lens financing while advancing its broader pan-African mandate of financial inclusion, SME development and regional trade integration.
Leave a Reply