Ecobank has launched a platform, ‘Ellevate’ to help women-owned businesses. The platform is launched to narrow gender inequality in entrepreneurship and aid equal representation for women in the formal business sector.
Ecobank’s ‘Ellevate’ is designed to empower women-owned and women-managed businesses in Nigeria and across Africa leverage on various unique financial and non-financial benefits of the bank.
Disclosing this is the bank during a conference attended by the Board and Management of Ecobank Nigeria, the MD/ CEO of Development Bank for Nigeria, Mr Tony Okpanachi represented by Mr. Bonaventure Okhaimo, and other distinguished panelists and speakers.
Explaining the objectives of Ellevate, the bank stated that the platform for women-owned businesses is aimed at leading Pan-African financial institution by driving financial integration and contributing to the economic development of the continent by deepening engagement with women owned businesses, Stating that as the foundation upon which Ecobank ‘Ellevate’ is built.
Stating other benefits of being a member of the organization, Ecobank further stated that the platform ‘Ellevate’ promises women-owned businesses:
“An end-to-end partnership in which they can gain access not only to financial services specially tailored for them, but also Loans at special terms and discounts, Fixed deposit investments at special premium rates, Zero account maintenance fee,
“Continuous financial education and capacity building under our AUDA-NEPAD academy and other special arrangements, Net-working and recognition under our business clubs, Access to markets leveraging our various e-commerce solutions, to Ecobank’s unique digital payments and collections like Omnilite for payments, EcobankpayNQR for contactless local and cross border collections and modern POS channels,
“And various lifestyle benefits including campaigns and promotions to drive Ellevate customers’ business growth and personal well-being.”
However, it noted that Ellevate is designed for registered businesses only – by women or Managed principally by women or With high percentage of female board members or Manufacturing products for women. This proposition is believed to be a total package addressing the broad needs of women-owned businesses in Nigeria including businesses that produce for women.
In liue of this, “We have provided many channels to enable intending customers to join the Ellevate network – You may reach out to any of our branches in Nigeria Or through any of our Super Agents Or via our website for self-account opening. Otherwise you may contact our help center telephone, or leave a message on any of our social media handles.” Ecobank stated.
