The renowned Euromoney Awards for Excellence has once again recognized Ecobank, the leading pan-African Banking Group, as Africa’s Best Bank for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This prestigious accolade marks the second consecutive win for Ecobank, who also claimed the title in 2022.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Group, Jeremy Awori, expressed his pride in the achievement, emphasizing the bank’s unwavering dedication to supporting African SMEs. He highlighted the bank’s continuous stream of financial and non-financial innovations, geared towards fostering the growth and success of SMEs across the continent. According to Awori, SMEs play a pivotal role in Africa’s economic development, driving job creation, prosperity, and poverty alleviation.
Throughout the past year, Ecobank has launched several initiatives aimed at empowering SMEs:
The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub: This innovative platform supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), providing vital information about the single African market. It also grants access to Ecobank’s comprehensive range of trade facilitation products and solutions, including trade finance, advisory, payments, and collections. The hub also acts as a marketplace, connecting businesses, products, and services across Africa.
RapidCollect: Designed for Ecobank’s business customers, this solution enables seamless and cost-effective cross-border payments, allowing clients to receive payments instantly from their home country and across Ecobank’s network of 33 affiliates.
Mastercard Farm Pass Partnership: Ecobank digitizes the agricultural value chain for smallholder farmers, streamlining and securing the process of obtaining fair prices for their produce.
Ellevate Equip Leadership Programme: Tailored for women-led or focused business customers, this program equips participants with essential leadership skills such as emotional intelligence, strategic leadership, influence, decision-making, and negotiation.
The Financial Literacy Series: This initiative provides SME managers and owners with vital financial education. The first in the series, ‘Preparing SMEs for the Capital Markets,’ attracted nearly 3,500 registered participants.
Ecobank’s commitment to meeting the unique needs of SMEs has been the key factor in securing the prestigious title of Africa’s Best Bank for SMEs. The panel of judges recognized Ecobank’s steadfast dedication to supporting the growth and development of SMEs, making it the preferred banking partner for businesses across the continent.
With this second consecutive win, Ecobank renews its commitment to empowering SMEs, catalyzing economic growth, and driving prosperity for Africa. Through innovative solutions, financial expertise, and unwavering support, Ecobank remains at the forefront of driving Africa’s SME revolution.
