Ecobank is 2021 Africa SME bank of the year

export to the two targeted markets, respectively.

“Initiatives aimed at pro- moting exports to such re- ECOBANK has been named the 2021 African Small

gions are cardinal to achiev- and Medium Enterprises (SME) bank of the year, as it pledges ing to export support small penetration businesses amid and the Coronavirus pandemic.

The bank diversification. beat a host of other financial institutions in the African Banker Award 2021 to take home the SME

“Therefore, I am happy to award in a 2020 tumultuous year characterised by the Covid-19 note pandemic that which among continues to the ravage objec- many African economies, with SMEs taking the greatest

tives of this event is to award hit.

This is local according manufacturers to Ecobank head communications, who are marketing and media Glenda Kamalata in Lusaka at

already exporting to South the weekend.

The African Africa SME Bank and of the the year award USA. 2021 This recognises the bank which had significantly contributed will to the certainly development motivate of the SME sector, these thus helping them to build the economic backbone of

companies to produce and the continent.

“Part of export the entry criteria more,” required he that said. the winning bank has significantly catalysed funding into the

Mr Mulenga said his Minis- private sector in Africa and promoted enterprise development try was by facilitating currently credit and implement- access to finance for SMEs.

ing the National Export Strat- The Group had been at the forefront Ms of Zimba promoting gender egy inclusion which and closing targets the gender to finance grow to- gap through innovative initiatives such as ‘Ellevate by Ecobank’ tal exports that targets women-led by 15 per and women- cent and focused businesses across the continent.

even NTEs changing by 25 per systems. cent annually. “2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges on account of the Covid-19 pandemic. It huge required size

“With “Definitely, the sophisticated the resilience and innovation.

of the South African and USA Ms network Ankomah said behind the immense The gratitude Internet goes to the staff, markets customers and partners who have an made oppor- this

of Things, many presents have suffered possible. She explained that some of the measures

tunity for Zambia to grow her taken the by the reality bank to support of what SMEs in it 2020 means include proactively instituting mitigating meet actions, including set-out

to exports be scammed and or simply the de- tenor extensions and moratoriums on interest, to

goals. assist frauded. SMEs to manage their loan repayments;

It further indicated “To effectively that increasing the take utilisation

“While some have awak- advan- of digital channels, such as Ecobank Omni Lite, to provide ened tage customers to of a with this shudder capabilities export to in make their market payments remotely and conveniently.

opportunity, companies that The daily bank also lives, collaborated the majority with the African have Union’s Development export described simply are

Agency– ready (AUDA-NEPAD) it as will a trage- need

to to focus on strengthening Africa’s support for micro,

be supported with the neces- small dy,” and medium he said enterprises in his (MSMEs) write-up and assist on their recovery sary in from tools Zambia.

the impact and of information the pandemic by to fraud empowering MSMEs with access to capabilities,

access the two markets,” he markets and finance, so that they can play a pivotal role in restarting Africa’s economies.