Ecobank Nigeria Expands ‘Ellevate’ Programme To Boost Women Entrepreneurs’ Growth For IWD 2026
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
Ecobank Nigeria has unveiled an upgraded version of its flagship gender financing initiative, Ellevate by Ecobank, as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), reaffirming its commitment to empowering women-led businesses across Nigeria and the wider African market.
The enhanced programme builds on the success of the initiative, which was originally introduced to improve access to finance for women-owned and women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the bank’s Commercial Banking division. With the latest upgrade, Ellevate now adopts a more inclusive and far-reaching structure, extending its benefits across all business segments to create a holistic support ecosystem for female entrepreneurs.
Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, noted that the improved offering underscores the bank’s ambition to remain the preferred financial partner for women in business.
He stated that since its launch in July 2021, the initiative has delivered measurable impact for SMEs and women-led enterprises, adding that the new phase further strengthens its value proposition and long-term relevance.
Under the revamped framework, participants will benefit from increased access to finance on more flexible and competitive terms, including reduced collateral requirements aimed at addressing traditional lending barriers. The programme also integrates digital banking solutions such as payments, collections, and cash management tools to enhance efficiency and support business scalability.
A key feature of the upgrade is improved market access. Through Ecobank’s MyTradeHub platform and its e-commerce capabilities, women entrepreneurs will be able to connect with customers and trade partners across Africa, enabling cross-border business opportunities and deeper participation in regional value chains.
In addition to financial support, the initiative offers capacity-building opportunities through targeted training, leadership development programmes, and knowledge-sharing platforms designed to strengthen business sustainability. Beneficiaries will also gain access to tailored wealth management advisory services, insurance solutions, and a loyalty programme that provides commercial incentives via strategic lifestyle and retail partnerships.
Lawal emphasized that the initiative aligns with the bank’s broader objective of promoting inclusive economic growth by supporting women as key drivers of development.
He added that Ecobank Nigeria continues to provide platforms such as Adire Lagos, Oja Oge, +234Art Fair, Lagos Pop-Up Museum, SME Bazaar, and the Design & Build Exhibition, all aimed at showcasing and elevating women-owned businesses.
With this latest enhancement, Ecobank Nigeria reinforces its leadership in gender-focused financing while advancing its pan-African mandate of driving financial inclusion, SME growth, and regional trade integration.
