GCB Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs across the ECOWAS region during a high-level panel at a side-event jointly organized by ECOWAS and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers.

Speaking on the panel, Mr. Abdulsalam Alhassan, Head, Wholesale and Investment Banking at GCB Bank, outlined both the challenges faced by women-led businesses and the concrete steps the bank is taking to address them.

He emphasised that women entrepreneurs remain critical to the growth and transformation of African economies, but they continue to face barriers in accessing affordable financing and building sustainable enterprises.

As part of GCB Bank’s strategic interventions, Mr. Alhassan highlighted:

• Dedicated Units for Women-Led Businesses – GCB is establishing specialized desks within the Bank to prioritize financing and advisory support for women entrepreneurs.
• Partnerships with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) – The Bank is actively engaging DFIs to access cheaper sources of funding and to de-risk lending to women-owned businesses and SMEs.
• Incubator for Women-Led SMEs – A new incubator programme is to be set up to build capacity, strengthen business structures, and enhance the competitiveness of women-led enterprises.
• African Solutions for African Challenges – Mr. Alhassan stressed the importance of developing home-grown solutions and fostering collaboration across the region, urging stakeholders to learn from each other’s experiences to build a more inclusive and resilient economic ecosystem.

GCB Bank’s interventions reflect its long-standing commitment to financial inclusion, enterprise growth, and national development. By championing women-led businesses, the Bank aims to unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable growth in Ghana and across West Africa.

GCB Bank is a leading player in Ghana’s banking industry with 184 branches, 340 ATMs, complemented by various innovative digital solutions.

With the largest branch network in Ghana, GCB Bank is closely associated with hundreds of communities where the Bank not only offers day-to-day financial services but also provides the needed social support.

As Ghana’s premier indigenous bank, GCB has, since its establishment in 1953, contributed significantly to helping individuals, SMEs, corporates and institutions to achieve financial wellbeing and meet their banking needs.

The Bank’s relationship with its clients and other stakeholders is delivered on a platform of trust, support and collaboration and anchored through its brand promise, “Your Bank for Life”.