Let’s strengthen support for women entrepreneurs – Tawa Bolarin

 The Director of En­terprise Business and Wholesale at Telecel Ghana, Tawa Bolarin, has rein­forced the relevance of strength­ening women-led businesses and the critical role of strategic partnerships in advancing their growth.

Speaking at the launch of Absa Bank Ghana’s ‘She Busi­ness’, a revamp of the bank’s proposition to support female entrepreneurs with substan­tial collateral-free loans, she highlighted the ongoing col­laboration between Telecel and Absa through Telecel Ghana’s industry first Women in Business initiative.

The initiative seeks to address the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.

“I am delighted to celebrate the launch of Absa’s ‘She Busi­ness’ and speak about the incred­ible work we are doing together to transform women-led businesses. This will collectively ensure the growth and sustainability of small and medium-scale enterprises run by women,” she said.

Absa’s ‘She Business’ product offers collateral-free loans of up to GH¢2 million at 10 per cent interest rate per annum to eligible female entrepreneurs.

The initiative forms part of the bank’s broader effort to help close Ghana’s estimated $6.1 billion micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) credit gap.

Dr Edward Nartey Botchway, Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana, indicated that, “The ‘She Business’ is a statement of our intent to help women entrepre­neurs take advantage of real business opportunities. For us, it is a compelling opportunity to implement a system that helps MSMEs thrive.”

Director of SME Banking and Partnerships at Absa Bank, Audrey Abakah, stressed that the ‘She Business’ proposition is an evolution of the bank’s existing support for the growing financial needs of women entrepreneurs.

“Our approach is based on what women told us they value most: practical support, affordable credit, and a bank that sees their potential and stands with them at every stage of growth. ‘She Busi­ness’ is designed to deliver on all those in needs,” Audrey explained.

The event convened Absa Bank Ghana’s leadership, wom­en business owners, corporate leaders, and policymakers, with representatives from Mastercard Foundation, Hollard Ghana, DHL Group, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, and Development Bank Ghana.

Elaborating on the specific benefits of the six growth pillars underpinning the telecommunica­tions giant’s Women in Business package namely – Empower, Assure, Accelerate, Reach, Engage and Reward, Tawa urged women entrepreneurs to seize the oppor­tunities presented by both Absa Bank’s ‘She Business’ and Telecel’s Women in Business package to transform their businesses.

“I encourage all women entre­preneurs to take full advantage of the Absa ‘She Business’ account and the Telecel Women in Busi­ness package to ensure the growth and scalability of their enterprises. We are committed to creating an ecosystem that allows women in business,” she urged