Women Entrepreneurs Laud Ecobank’s Enhanced Ellevate Initiative

Women entrepreneurs and professionals have commended Ecobank Nigeria for its continued commitment to supporting women‑owned businesses through its Ellevate proposition, following the launch of the Enhanced Ecobank Ellevate Proposition (Ellevate 2.0) in Lagos. 

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the pan‑African financial services group Ecobank Group, unveiled the upgraded program at an event themed “Her Voice. Her Power. Her Growth.”

The gathering featured inspiring conversations and practical insights from accomplished women in business and professional leadership.

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, praised Ecobank for its longstanding support for women entrepreneurs.

“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,” Ogunlesi shared.

She encouraged women to embrace self-awareness, resilience, and purpose as the drivers of long‑term success.

The panel session featured Bode Abifarin, Founder & CEO of Strata Advisory; Titilayo Adesoga, CEO of Village Farms Commerce and Exchange; and Subuola Oyeleye, Founder of Beaty Hut Africa, who each shared powerful reflections from their personal and professional journeys.

Bode Abifarin spoke on the courage required to evolve as a leader, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, intentional growth, and embracing new opportunities despite challenges.

Drawing from her extensive leadership background, she highlighted the need for women to own their transitions and step confidently into new seasons.

Titilayo Adesoga encouraged women to rise above limitations by taking ownership of their personal and business narratives.

She shared candid experiences about overcoming barriers, the power of resilience, and the strategic thinking required to build sustainable enterprises. Her message focused on confidence, perseverance, and staying rooted in purpose.

Subuola Oyeleye inspired attendees with her story of building a thriving beauty brand through creativity, consistency, and understanding her customer base.

She highlighted the importance of authenticity, innovation, and investing in quality reinforcing that women can build globally competitive businesses from Nigeria.

Welcoming participants, Ayo Osolake, Head of Premier Banking & Wealth Management at Ecobank Nigeria, 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.

She explained that the enhanced 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 program, expanded market access through the Ecobank SingleMarketTradeHub and Ecobank’s digital platform connecting businesses across Africa.

Also speaking, Victoria Igun, Ellevate Manager, Ecobank Nigeria, described the enhanced program as a strategic step in strengthening women’s access to finance, Access to Market, and 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, Lagos Pop‑Up Museum, SME Bazaar, and the Design & Build Exhibition, which provide visibility, market access, and growth opportunities for women‑owned businesses.