Ecobank Nigeria, has unveiled an enhanced version of its gender financing initiative, ”Ellevate” by Ecobank, as part of activities commemorating 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).
A statement by the bank on Wednesday, said that the upgraded programme reinforced the bank’s long-term commitment to advancing women-led enterprises in Nigeria and across Ecobank’s pan-African footprint.
Originally inaugurated to improve access to finance for women-owned, women-led, and women-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within its commercial banking segment, the enhanced ”Ellevate” programme now adopts a broader, more inclusive structure.
The new framework extends across all business segments, positioning ”Ellevate” as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to address the structural financing and growth barriers faced by women entrepreneurs.
The Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, said the enhanced programme further strengthened the bank’s ambition to be the financial partner of choice for women entrepreneurs.
“Since its inauguration 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,” he said.
Lawal also said that the expanded structure offered improved access to credit on competitive terms, including more flexible collateral considerations aimed at easing traditional financing constraints.
He said beyond lending, the programme integrated digital payment, collections, and cash management solutions to enhance operational efficiency and support scalability.
He added that a core pillar of the enhancement was structured market access.
He explained that, through the bank’s ”MyTradeHub” online matchmaking platform and e-commerce enablement capabilities, women entrepreneurs would be better positioned for cross-border trade expansion and participation in Africa’s regional value chains.
According to him, the initiative also incorporates robust non-financial support mechanisms, including targeted training programmes, leadership development sessions, and knowledge-sharing platforms to strengthen managerial capacity and long-term sustainability.
”This is complemented by 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 aligned with Ecobank’s broader ambition to drive inclusive growth by empowering women as critical 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.
