Ecobank women lending growth rises 194% to $780m as the bank expands financing and support for women-led businesses across Africa

Ecobank Group has reported a significant increase in financing to women-led businesses, with lending rising by 194 per cent to $780 million in 2025, up from $265 million in 2024, as the bank expands its efforts to support entrepreneurship and economic development across Africa.

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The Ecobank women lending growth was disclosed during the launch of the Ecobank Gender Programme Report in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026.

The report highlights the bank’s expanding role in addressing structural barriers that continue to limit access to finance for women entrepreneurs on the continent.

Women-led enterprises remain a critical driver of Africa’s economic activity, contributing to job creation, household income and the development of local supply chains.

However, a persistent financing gap estimated at $42 billion continues to restrict the ability of many businesses to scale and compete effectively.

Ecobank Group has positioned its gender-focused initiatives as a strategic response to this challenge.

By combining targeted financial products with capacity-building programmes, mentorship and cross-border market access, the bank aims to strengthen the ecosystem supporting women entrepreneurs.

Jeremy Awori, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank, described women entrepreneurs as key contributors to Africa’s economic growth.

He noted that while demand for financing remains strong, many women still encounter barriers that hinder expansion and long-term sustainability.

Awori stated that the Ecobank women lending growth reflects both increased demand from entrepreneurs and the impact of dedicated initiatives such as the Ellevate programme and the bank’s Gender Bond, which are designed to mobilise capital specifically for women-led enterprises.

He emphasised that the institution’s pan-African platform enables it to deliver not only funding but also access to broader business opportunities.

Originally launched in 2020 in response to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ellevate programme has evolved into a continent-wide initiative supporting more than 103,000 registered women entrepreneurs.

Its expansion across 26 African countries in 2025 further accelerated participation, with over 21,000 additional women enrolled and more than 24,000 beneficiaries receiving training, mentoring and other forms of non-financial support.

The programme also connects women-led businesses to regional trade opportunities through the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub, allowing entrepreneurs to expand their reach beyond domestic markets and engage with partners across Africa.

Industry observers note that initiatives such as these are playing a constructive role in bridging the financing gap while promoting inclusive growth.

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The continued expansion of Ecobank’s gender-focused programmes underscores a broader shift towards integrating financial inclusion with economic empowerment strategies across the continent.