Freetown, Sierra Leone – Ecobank Sierra Leone is reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape for women through its Enhanced Ellevate Programme, an initiative designed to provide women-owned and women-led businesses with access to finance, training, and market opportunities.
The program is already delivering tangible results. From unsecured loans of up to $50,000 to business mentorship, Ellevate is closing the gender financing gap. One standout success is UNIMAX Sierra Leone Limited, a female-led delivery firm that scaled operations with Ellevate’s support, securing major contracts and creating jobs.
According to Sheikh Omaru Jalloh, Head of Brand, Communications, and Marketing at Ecobank Sierra Leone, the initiative is about “making business dreams attainable” by removing collateral barriers and pairing flexible finance with practical tools. The bank believes empowering women is key to national economic development, and Ellevate is proof of that commitment.
The programme continues to expand its reach, with a Pan-African rollout in progress, helping drive financial inclusion, job creation, and sustainable growth across Sierra Leone and beyond.
By Sharon Cline
