The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Goldman Sachs have partnered with leading African banks, including Nigeria’s Zenith Bank and Stanbic IBTC Nigeria, to expand the impact of the 10,000 Women initiative. This program, launched in 2008, aims to provide access to capital, training, and business education for women entrepreneurs globally.
This collaboration brings together nine financial institutions across Africa, including:
Stanbic Bank Kenya
Ecobank Kenya
Ecobank Cote d’Ivoire
Equity Bank Group
Banco Millenium Atlantico (Angola)
Baobab Group
Orange Bank
These banks will leverage the initiative’s tools to support women entrepreneurs by enhancing access to business education and fostering equitable economic opportunities.
Since its inception, the 10,000 Women initiative has reached over 200,000 women in 150 countries, equipping them with critical business skills and access to funding.
Ms. Charlotte Keenan, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, expressed excitement about the expanded collaboration:
“We are delighted to partner with IFC to supercharge the growth of women-owned businesses across Africa. We remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs with the access to education and capital they need to scale.”
The initiative aligns with Goldman Sachs’ Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF), a first-of-its-kind global platform launched in 2014 to increase funding access for women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
Ms. Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC’s Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion, emphasized the importance of the expanded partnership:
“This marks a significant step forward in enabling women in Africa to build resilient businesses and achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.”
The partnership reflects a shared vision to unlock the potential of women-owned businesses across Africa by providing them with the tools and resources needed to thrive. By mainstreaming lending to female entrepreneurs and offering tailored training, this collaboration seeks to build a more inclusive and prosperous economic landscape for the continent.
