Ecobank unveils programme to empower women
Business
By
Jacob Ngetich
| Oct 03, 2022
Cheick Travaly MD Ecobank & Regional Executive Central Eastern & Southern Africa. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]
Ecobank Kenya has launched a programme to empower women-led businesses through financial support.
The bank said during the launch in Nairobi that the 'Ellevate' programme is aimed at helping businesses reach their full potential.
"The bank noted that women have not enjoyed equal access to high quality, demand-driven financial services and it is estimated that women-owned SMEs face a $42 billion (Sh5 trillion) financing gap, making lack of access to financing a common constraint to their business growth," said Ecobank Kenya Managing Director Cheikh Travaly.
READ MORE
From austerity to handouts: Ruto's Sh4.7tr pre-election budget to appease Kenyans
Kenya's school categorisation gives us a false sense of unity
TSC Amendment Bill, 2024: What MPs want
No exam retake: It's do or die for Form Three class as 8-4-4 ends
In pictures: Valentine's Day, the Standard Group way
Mudavadi jets to Addis for AU meet on water security
Vietnam partners with G42 to build national AI and cloud infrastructure
Faith Odhiambo: Two years of bold leadership at LSK
He said the growth of women-led and women-focused businesses has for long been hampered by a range of impediments, including access to finance.
"We have specially designed Ellevate to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs through the provision of comprehensive and tailormade solutions which include favourable lending rates, smart cash management enablement and a suite of value-added services such as leadership training, mentoring and networking opportunities," the MD said. Ecobank will now allocate a minimum of 10 per cent of its loan portfolio to women's businesses.