Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women-led businesses, providing financial tools and value-added solutions to help them succeed.
The bank has partnered with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to launch a six-month training program for women traders in Abuja.
The initiative aims to equip women entrepreneurs with financing, mentorship, and digital tools to thrive in competitive markets, scale their businesses, and expand their access to regional markets.
Participants will receive training, ongoing mentorship, and financial support after completing the program.
Ecobank’s Divisional Head for FCT and the North, Tunde Dawodu, praised the partnership, highlighting the bank’s efforts to support women entrepreneurs through various initiatives.
“As a Pan-African bank, we are pleased to partner with ECOWAS to support women traders. This aligns with our broader strategy to empower women-owned businesses,” Dawodu said.
He explained that Ecobank’s flagship Ellevate Programme is designed to support women-owned and women-managed businesses across Nigeria and other African markets.
Through this initiative, women gain access to financial services tailored to their needs, with special loan terms and discounts.
They also benefit from networking opportunities, market access, and e-commerce solutions, alongside Ecobank’s advanced digital payments and collections platforms.
ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Touray, expressed gratitude to Ecobank, recognizing the bank’s role in helping women traders leverage market opportunities.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandjé Touré-Litse, underscored the importance of women in the region’s economic development.
“By equipping women with financial knowledge, facilitating access to credit, and enhancing their business skills, we are helping them scale and expand their businesses across borders,” Touré-Litse said.
“When women succeed, entire communities thrive, and our economies grow stronger. I encourage all participants to seize this opportunity to gain the tools needed to grow their businesses and engage in regional trade.”
This partnership between Ecobank and ECOWAS demonstrates both organizations’ commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment in West Africa, supporting sustainable development, and driving regional integration.
Ecobank’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment is evident through its various initiatives, which provide financial services tailored to women-owned businesses, facilitate trade and market access, and enhance financial inclusion.
Similarly, ECOWAS has launched several initiatives to promote women’s economic inclusivity and regional integration, including the ECOWAS Trade and Gender Action Plan, the ECOWAS Regional Strategy for Implementing AfCFTA, and the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy.
The collaboration between Ecobank and ECOWAS is a significant step towards promoting women’s economic empowerment and regional integration in West Africa.
The partnership is expected to have a positive impact on women-led businesses in the region, promoting economic growth and development.
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