Women entrepreneurs and professionals have praised Ecobank Nigeria for strengthening support for women-owned businesses with the launch of the Enhanced Ecobank Ellevate Proposition (Ellevate 2.0) in Lagos.
The upgraded initiative was unveiled at an event themed “Her Voice. Her Power. Her Growth.”, bringing together accomplished women leaders who shared practical insights and inspiring experiences from their entrepreneurial and professional journeys.
Delivering the keynote address titled “The True Woman Power: Strength Rooted in Identity, Resilience and Purpose,” Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder of Gatimo Limited and Creative Director of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, commended Ecobank for its long-standing support for women entrepreneurs.
She recalled how the bank supported her business when she sought funding years ago.
“When I was seeking a loan facility many years ago to grow my business, Ecobank was the institution that supported me when others turned me down,” she said.
Ogunlesi urged women to embrace self-awareness, resilience and purpose as key drivers of long-term success.
The event also featured a panel discussion with leading businesswomen, including Bode Abifarin, Titilayo Adesoga, and Subuola Oyeleye, who shared insights from their professional journeys.
Abifarin highlighted the courage required for leadership evolution, stressing adaptability, intentional growth and the willingness to embrace new opportunities despite challenges.
Adesoga encouraged women to take ownership of their personal and business narratives, stressing the importance of resilience, strategic thinking and confidence in building sustainable enterprises.
Subuola Oyeleye, CEO, Beauty Hut Africa; Victoria Igun, Ellevate Manager, Ecobank Nigeria; Titilayo Adesoga, CEO, Village Farms Commerce; Omoboye Odu – Head, SME, Partnerships & Collaborations, Ecobank Nigeria; Mrs. Nike Ogunlesi, Founder, Gatimo Limited & Creative Director, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble; Ayodele Osolake, Head, Premier Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, and Mrs. Bode Abifarin, Founder & CEO, Strata Advisory, at the launch of the Enhanced Ecobank Ellevate Proposition in Lagos.
Oyeleye inspired participants with her story of building a thriving beauty brand through creativity, consistency and a deep understanding of customer needs. She emphasised that women can build globally competitive businesses from Nigeria through innovation and commitment to quality.
Welcoming participants, Ayo Osolake, who represented the Managing Director/Regional Executive Bolaji Lawal, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to advancing women’s economic participation.
“Ellevate by Ecobank reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, who remain key drivers of economic growth, innovation and job creation,” she said.
According to Osolake, the enhanced Ellevate proposition has now evolved into a bank-wide offering, providing women with improved access to credit, integrated digital payment and cash management solutions, capacity-building programmes, and expanded market access through the Ecobank SingleMarketTradeHub, a platform connecting businesses across Africa.
Also speaking, Victoria Igun described the enhanced programme as a strategic move to strengthen women’s access to finance, markets and professional networks.
“This enhanced proposition creates stronger pathways for women entrepreneurs and professionals to build sustainable businesses and translate ambition into lasting impact,” she said.
Ecobank Nigeria continues to support women-led enterprises through platforms such as Adire Lagos, Oja Oge, +234Art Fair, the Lagos Pop‑Up Museum, SME Bazaar, and the Design & Build Exhibition, which provide visibility, market access and growth opportunities for women-owned businesses.
