insight from Sheikh Omaru Jalloh, Head of Brand, Communications, and Marketing Ecobank Sierra Leone:
In recent years, women-led businesses have emerged as powerful engines of economic growth and community transformation across Africa. In Sierra Leone, Ellevate by Ecobank a Pan-African initiative designed to support women-owned and women-focused businesses has become a catalyst for such transformation.
Since its introduction, Ellevate has played a pivotal role in providing access to finance, training, visibility, and business support to women entrepreneurs across various sectors
In today’s dynamic economic environment, inclusive financial systems are no longer optional, they are essential.
Ecobank Sierra Leone, through its Ellevate programme, is leading the charge in empowering women-owned and women-led businesses, offering both financial and non-financial solutions that directly impact economic growth and national development.
Unlocking Access to Finance
Ellevate is specially designed to bridge the financing gap for women in business. By providing tailored loan products, flexible repayment options, and competitive interest rates, Ecobank ensures that female entrepreneurs can access the capital they need to grow their businesses. From micro-enterprises to formal SMEs, many women have already benefitted from increased liquidity to expand operations, invest in technology, and scale sustainably.
Beyond Banking: Building Capacity and Confidence
Ellevate goes beyond traditional banking services. Through capacity-building workshops, business training, mentorship, and access to networking opportunities, women entrepreneurs are equipped with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions and run resilient businesses. These non-financial offerings help to address systemic barriers such as limited business education and access to professional networks.
Driving Access and Inclusion
The Ellevate programme was launched with a mission to close the gender financing gap and level the playing field for female entrepreneurs. In Sierra Leone, the programme has significantly impacted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by:
Providing tailored financial products, including reduced collateral loans and working capital support.
Offering capacity-building programmes and financial literacy training through partnerships and Ecobank Academy.
Enhancing market access by connecting women-led businesses to local and regional value chains.
Facilitating digital transformation through affordable payment and collection solutions like POS, Ecobank Pay, and the Ecobank Mobile App.
The ripple effect of these interventions has been felt not only by the individual entrepreneurs but by their employees, suppliers, and communities as well.
Driving Real Economic Impact
The impact of Ellevate is far-reaching. Beneficiaries of the program have reported:
Increased revenue and profitability
Job creation and employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth
Improved business formalization and structure
Enhanced confidence in managing finances and operations
By enabling women to thrive, Ellevate contributes directly to Sierra Leone’s broader economic development, gender equality goals, and financial inclusion agenda.
WHAT ENHANCED ELLEVATE DOESN’T JUST DO
Unsecured loans of up to USD 50,000 without demanding heavy collateral inclusive of businesses with only a two-year track record (instead of the usual three).
Access to competitive interest rates, customised wealth & insurance packages, and a loyalty programme offering special retail and recreation discounts.
Incorporates financial (both Consumer & Corporate) and non-financial support from networking via Ecobank’s MyTradeHub, capacitybuilding webinars and business skills training, to mentorship by established professionals.
Pan-African scaling: launched early 2025 in nine markets, with a phased rollout planned across all SubSaharan branches including Sierra Leone.
CASE STUDY: UNIMAX SIERRA LEONE LIMITED: EMPOWERING GROWTH THROUGH ELLEVATE BY ECOBANK
UNIMAX SL Limited, a leading female-led enterprise in Sierra Leone, has been a proud beneficiary of the Ellevate by Ecobank initiative — a program designed to support women-owned and women-focused businesses across Africa.
Unimax is a dynamic freight forwarding and delivery company owned by Madam Fatima Sesay. Although in the past she had proved successful in winning contracts from Freetown City Council to deliver the council city rate bills to business and property owners, financing had always been a challenge. Now with Ellevate, this is no longer the case. Our support for her business has grown from an initial $5,000 under Ellevate ‘s contract financing facility to $40,000.
Madam Sesay is now able to handle additional contracts from various organizations like World Health Organization, World Food Program, DHL Global, Sierra Leone Brewery and many more because of this immense support, Ecobank Sierra Leonne has now become her primary bank. Her impact is far-reaching:
Job Creation: Dozens employed, especially women.
Mentorship: A role model to aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Economic Growth: She contributes to the local economy and supports other small businesses.
Access: Providing affordable delivery services across the country
Through Ellevate, UNIMAX gained access to:
Tailored financial solutions, including working capital support and favourable loan terms.
Capacity-building initiatives, such as business training and leadership forums.
Networking opportunities across Ecobank’s pan-African ecosystem.
With Ecobank Sierra Leone’s continued support under the Ellevate program, UNIMAX has not only expanded its market reach but also strengthened its operational resilience. Today, it stands as a shining example of what female entrepreneurship can achieve when given the right tools and platform.
Sheikh Omaru Jalloh’s Perspective
A Commitment to Inclusive Prosperity
“Ecobank is proud to champion women’s economic empowerment through Ellevate,” says, Managing Director, Sebastian Ashong – Katai “We believe that when women succeed, economies prosper. Ellevate is our way of making that vision a reality in Sierra Leone.”
“Enhanced Ellevate is redefining how women in Sierra Leone view banking. By removing collateral barriers and pairing flexible finance with mentorship and market connecting tools, we’ve made business dreams attainable, and the early success stories speak volumes.”The Enhanced Ellevate programme, now under implementation at Ecobank Sierra Leone, is delivering a transformational boost: enabling women entrepreneurs to access essential capital, build capacity, expand markets, and ultimately contribute more fully to national economic growth. Its synergy of finance, training, and networking marks a tangible stride toward inclusive development.
As Ecobank Sierra Leone continues to invest in women, the bank reaffirms its commitment to building a more inclusive, empowered, and prosperous future for all.
