Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire Partners with IFC to Launch 10,000 Women Initiative

 Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, part of the leading pan-African financial services group, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to implement the 10,000 Women initiative. This program is designed to empower women small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs) clients of Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, helping them build capacity, transform, and grow their businesses.

Regional Executive UEMOA and Managing Director of Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, Paul-Harry Aithnard, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating: “The ‘10,000 Women’ programme is much more than just an educational initiative – it is a lever for propelling female-owned or led SMEs and strengthening their capacities to succeed.”

Aithnard emphasized the importance of partnerships in transforming women entrepreneurs into strong business managers. He welcomed the collaboration with IFC, which will support Ecobank’s Ellevate customers through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative. This initiative complements Ecobank’s Ellevate programme by offering full-service cash management, banking facilities, tailored solutions, and a range of business skills, leadership, and growth initiatives for women-owned and women-focused businesses in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative is a globally accessible, free online business education program. It features practical interactive activities covering all aspects of business, from leadership to negotiations, marketing, and sales. Participants can choose from any of the 10 available courses or a combination of them, gaining the knowledge needed to survive, adapt, and thrive in business. Additionally, they can access practical advice from business experts on niche identification, pivot strategies, cash flow management, customer acquisition, and effective leadership.

Available Courses in the 10,000 Women Initiative:

– Grow your Business

– Fundamentals of Business Finance

– Fundamentals of Leadership

– Fundamentals of Customers and Competition

– Fundamentals of Financial Planning

– Fundamentals of Sales and Marketing

– Fundamentals of Operations

– Fundamentals of Management

– Fundamentals of Funding

– Fundamentals of Negotiation

This partnership and initiative underscore Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth through strategic collaborations.