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Ecobank’s Ellevate Grants $177m to 73,000 Women Businesses

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Ecobank Ellevate

By Adedapo Adesanya

Pan-African banking group, Ecobank, says it has onboarded over 73,000 women business customers and lent more than $177 million since its launch of its Ellevate programme in November 2020.

This came as the lender became an official signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, which guide the private sector on how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.

WEPs are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By joining the WEPs community, Ecobank reiterated its commitment to this agenda at the highest levels of the conglomerate and a desire to work collaboratively in multistakeholder networks to empower women. These include equal pay for work of equal value, gender-responsive supply chain practices and zero tolerance against sexual harassment in the workplace.

The bank’s Ellevate programme provides women-owned, led or focused businesses with a comprehensive suite of cash management, borderless payments and collections, banking and funding solutions, in addition to skills training and mentoring.

According to a statement, Ecobank Group CEO, Mr Jeremy Awori, announced the signature of these principles during a webinar organised by Ecobank Foundation and UN Women on the occasion of the International Women’s Day celebrations themed Invest in Women: Why does it matter? How can we accelerate it? which discussed the importance of investing in women to build inclusive societies, and success strategies to counter unconscious biases and discriminatory practices that hinder investments in women.

“At Ecobank, we are fully committed to driving gender equality. Ensuring that women and girls have equal rights as men and boys and can attain their full potential without facing discrimination in any aspect of their lives. This is essential to achieving a sustainable, just, and prosperous society.

“Across the Bank, we have implemented numerous initiatives and solutions, including our multi-award-winning Ellevate programme to meet the financial and non-financial needs of women’s businesses, and we will continue to introduce new solutions. While we recognise that there is more to do, signing the WEPs is another step in our absolute commitment and determination to advance gender equality and inclusion,” he said.

It was also disclosed that Ecobank has implemented several other initiatives to advance gender equality and inclusion. These include establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Council to create an environment where individuals can thrive without discrimination or bias.

Additionally, Ecobank has signed the Women Working for Change Gender Diversity Charter; sponsored awareness programmes on gender-based violence for its staff; and implemented mentoring programmes, along with comprehensive learning and development initiatives aimed at advancing women’s career progression.

The bank also announced that it will soon launch a women-supplier programme to onboard more women-owned and women-led businesses into its procurement database.

Congratulating Ecobank Group, Ms Mireille Kamitatu, Deputy Regional Director UN Women Regional Office West and Central Africa said: “I am pleased to acknowledge Ecobank Group’s commitment confirmed by the signing the WEPs. We commend the leadership of this Pan-African bank, spanning 35 countries, for its decisive step in advancing gender equality across the continent. UN Women stands ready to offer support in your gender-focused initiatives towards our ultimate objective to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Banking

Stanbic IBTC Bank Fixes June 3 for 2025 Home Loan Summit in Lagos

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Stanbic IBTC Bank Home Loan Summit

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The 2025 Home Loan Breakfast Session organised by Stanbic IBTC Bank will take place on Tuesday, June 3 in Lagos and later in the year in Abuja.

The event, according to a statement, is themed Building Tomorrow Today: Transforming the Path to Homeownership and will allow in-person and virtual participation.

The summit will feature expert insights into real estate investment, financing options, and emerging market trends.

Discussions will also cover protecting wealth through insurance and creating a legacy and passing on wealth across generations through wills and trusts, all catered to by the Stanbic IBTC Group.

By bringing together financial strategists, real estate professionals, and forward-thinking Nigerians, the summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for aspiring homeowners, real estate investors, and financial enthusiasts.

The programme will empower individuals to turn their property ambitions into tangible, long-term wealth.

“As access to affordable housing remains a pressing issue, our Home Loan solution offers hope. With competitive interest rates, flexible equity contribution, and personalised guidance, our bank aims to bridge the gap and make homeownership attainable for our stakeholders,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Wole Adeniyi, stated.

Already, registration for the 2025 Home Loan Breakfast Session has commenced via www.stanbicibtcbank.com, with Nigerians advised not to miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and unlock new possibilities.

This year’s edition is coming based on the success of the inaugural summit. It is part of Stanbic IBTC Bank’s commitment to empowering individuals, families, and business owners with the means to own their dream homes and properties by providing and enlightening customers about its home loan solutions, benefits and flexible repayment options.

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Edun Tasks New AMCON Board on Exit Framework, Quick Recovery of N4.7trn Debt

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amcon

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, has tasked the new board of directors of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to carry out a sustainable exit framework and recovery of N4.7 trillion in debt, which includes non-performing loans acquired from banks and other financial institutions.

He gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the new board, urging alignment with the government’s broader economic reform agenda.

The new AMCON board is chaired by Mr Bala Mohammed Bello. The Non-Executive Directors are Mr Yusuf Tegina, Mr Adeyemo Adeoye, Mr Charles Odion Iyiore, Mr Yahaya Ibrahim, and Ms Emily Chidinma Osuji.

“While AMCON was created as a temporary intervention, its winding down must be approached with caution and strategy,” he said.

“Nigerians look to AMCON not just as a recovery agency, but as a vehicle for transparency, accountability, and the efficient resolution of non-performing loans that continue to weigh down our banking system and public finances.”

It will be recalled that AMCON purchased 12,743 non-performing loans worth N3.797 trillion from 22 eligible financial institutions; AMCON’s intervention was funded by a debt obligation of N4.65 trillion, which is to be repaid to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The corporation’s primary goal is to recover these debts and resolve the financial challenges facing the Nigerian banking system.

The Minister emphasized some of the key priority areas for the immediate attention of the new board to include enhanced asset, saying, AMCON’s current portfolio of unrecovered debts remained a matter of national concern and the Board must work assiduously to strengthen the Corporation’s asset recovery strategy, including through legal enforcement, restructuring, and the sale of assets.

On governance and accountability, he said “it is imperative that this new Board upholds the principles of good corporate governance, transparency in operations, and strict adherence to the rule of law.”

On the need for collaboration with stakeholders, he said the board must ensure strategic collaboration with relevant MDAs, the CBN, the Judiciary, and the National Assembly as a unified approach is essential to ensure that its recovery mandate is not undermined.

He said the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is cantered on economic stability, job creation, and private sector-led growth.

The Minister said the inauguration ceremony was not merely a procedural event, but “a defining moment in the continued effort of this administration to promote financial stability, enhance investor confidence, and reposition Nigeria’s financial institutions for long-term growth and sustainability.

“However, as we all know, the task of economic transformation is an ongoing journey. As our macroeconomic realities evolve, so too must the strategies we adopt to strengthen financial institutions, improve fiscal discipline, and unlock value from distressed assets. The role of AMCON is as critical today as it was at its inception—if not more so.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of AMCON, Mr Gbenga Alade, assured that, with the inauguration of the new board the recovery process would be enhanced.

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Asset Managers, Others Mop up Ecobank $125m Eurobond

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Ecobank Back2School loans

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Eurobond worth $125 million was recently sold to investors cutting across Africa, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

The debt instrument was issued by the financial institution at an improved yield of 9.375 per cent. It is part of the company’s $400 million 10.125 per cent notes due October 15, 2029 and will be consolidated and form a single series.

Business Post reports that the net proceeds from the issuance of the paper will be used for general corporate purposes primarily to refinance upcoming debt maturities.

A statement from the firm disclosed that investor demand was robust, achieving a final orderbook oversubscription rate of more than 2x, with strong participation from asset managers, banks, and development finance institutions.

The joint lead managers and joint bookrunners for the exercise were Absa, Africa Finance Corporation, African Export-Import Bank, Mashreq, and Standard Chartered Bank, while the financial adviser was Renaissance Capital Africa, with Ecobank Development Corporation as the co-manager.

“This successful tap further strengthens ETI’s financial position in line with its strategic objectives and reflects the institution’s commitment to proactively manage its balance sheet by diversifying funding sources and extending the average debt maturity profile of the group,” the Chief Financial Officer of ETI, Mr Ayo Adepoju, said.

Also, the chief executive of the firm, Mr Jeremy Awori, said, “We are encouraged by the strong support received from international investors, which underscores their continued belief in Ecobank’s resilience and progress in executing our Growth, Transformation and Returns (GTR) strategy. This tap enhances our financial flexibility and further reinforces our presence in the global capital markets.”

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