Ecobank Increases Lending to Women
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Mar 11, 2026 · Last updated Mar 30, 2026
The significant increase in lending by Ecobank Transnational — Ecobank Ghana to women-led businesses, coupled with the successful launch of its Gender Bond, is expected to positively impact the financial markets by fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship across Africa. This demonstrates Ecobank Transnational — Ecobank Ghana's commitment to financial inclusion, which can lead to increased stability and development in the regions it serves.
Ecobank Transnational — Ecobank Ghana Group announced a 194% surge in lending to registered women-led businesses, extending $780 million in loans in 2025, up from $265 million in 2024. This was revealed through the launch of the Ecobank Transnational — Ecobank Ghana Gender Programme Report, commemorating International Women's Day 2026. The pan-African banking group's gender-focused initiatives, such as the Ellevate programme, have expanded across 26 countries, supporting over 103,000 women entrepreneurs. Additionally, the MAMA programme, launched in Ghana, provides support to women in the informal economy. In a notable development, Ecobank Transnational — Ecobank Ghana Cote d'Ivoire launched the first Gender Bond in the WAEMU region, raising over XOF 11 billion (approximately $18.2 million) to finance women-owned SMEs. Jeremy Awori, Group chief executive officer of Ecobank Transnational — Ecobank Ghana, emphasized the vital role of women entrepreneurs in Africa's economic growth and the bank's efforts to close the $42 billion financing gap they face.
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