The initiative, which is the third installment saw
participants go through a mini Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
programme by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World
Bank Group and the top 5 finalist were given a grant of $22,000
This year’s program had over 37,000 applications which was
later pruned down to 100 participants span across Africa where Access Bank’s
‘W’ Initiative has its presence. The countries are Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana,
Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Gambia, Mozambique and Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC).
Speaking on at womenpreneur pitchaton grand finale in Lagos
recently, the Group Managing Director Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe said:
“Access Bank is offering support for these female owned businesses to help them
get back on their feet through access to finance at friendly rates, mentoring
sessions and consulting support.
Access Bank recognised long ago the economic power
ofencouraging and supporting women generally as well as female entrepreneurs
because we believe women deserve quality education, the same rights as men,
equal access to financial services, and equal decision-making power at the
managerial level.
“This program is designed to provide quality training as
well as financial and business skills to female entrepreneurs in Africa,
through an IFC-certified mini-MBA.”
In her remarks, Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Dere Awosika,
said the fact that the bank has not allowed the happenings globally to stop it
from being able to develop and celebrate entrepreneurship in womanhood, is a
great step forward for them in Access Bank.
“For us in Access bank, Women are indeed very special; Women
contribute a great deal to our going forward and to the expansion of the
business in banking.So we thank God and we salute all those that are making
such efforts to develop and bring up more women climbing up the ladder and
identifying talents.
“Over the years, we see that such talents become great
entrepreneurs, not just in Nigeria but beyond. Great works they have been
doing, unimaginable things they have done to put not just Nigeria on the spot
but Africa,” Awosika said.
On his part, Principal Investment Officer, IFC, Mr. Musonda
Chipalo said: “So, women entrepreneurs are a dominant force for sustained and
equitable economic growth. when women entrepreneurs are supported with loans
and new skills, they can turn their ideas into businesses that generate
economic benefits for their families.So, for us, as I say this is a success
story and we’re very honored to have partnered with Access bank.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment