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Ecobank Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing financial inclusion and supporting women entrepreneurs by hosting an interactive webinar under the theme “Empowering Women, Empowering Economies.”
The event brought together women-led businesses and provided a platform to showcase tailored solutions designed to unlock growth and resilience.
Speaking at the official opening of the webinar, Fabian Nyalazi, Ecobank Head of SME Banking said Ellevate was a pioneering programme designed to break down the barriers women face in accessing finance, resources, and opportunities.
He stated that by hosting the webinar, Ecobank Zambia demonstrated its determination to break barriers, foster inclusion, and place women at the centre of economic transformation.
Nyalazi said more than just a set of banking products, Ellevate represented a holistic approach to women’s economic empowerment.
He said it offered tailored lending solutions that recognized the unique challenges of women-led businesses, dedicated accounts that simplified financial management, and treasury products that helped entrepreneurs navigate complex markets with confidence.
“At the heart of the discussions was Ellevate by Ecobank, a pioneering programme designed to break down the barriers women face in accessing finance, resources, and opportunities. More than just a set of banking products, Ellevate represents a holistic approach to women’s economic empowerment,” Nyalazi said.
He added that beyond financial tools, Ellevate also invested in capacity-building initiatives, provided training, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities that strengthened business resilience and unlocked growth potential.
“Through Ellevate, women entrepreneurs are not just included, they are empowered to rise, to thrive, and to lead,” Nyalazi said.
He highlighted the stark realities of women’s economic participation in Zambia, where only 14.6 percent were engaged in paid employment compared to 31.2 percent of men.
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Nyalazi argued that despite their vital contributions in sectors such as agriculture, mining, fashion, consultancy, and cooperatives, women remained underrepresented in formal economic structures, Nyalazi noted.
He stressed that this imbalance was more than a social concern, and an economic challenge that limited innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth.
“When women are excluded from access to finance, leadership, and decision-making, our economies lose out on innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth,” Nyalazi said.
He added that empowering women translated directly into empowering economies, as women-led businesses build communities, industries, and nations.
The webinar also introduced participants to other Ecobank solutions designed to support entrepreneurs which included the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub, Ecobank Treasury Solutions, and Ecobank Cards for everyday business transactions.
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