Stanbic Bank Ghana has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Mastercard to support the growth and sustainability of women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.
The partnership aims to improve access to finance, digital tools, and business development services for women entrepreneurs, who often face barriers in securing funding and scaling their businesses. Through the initiative, women-owned businesses will benefit from tailored financial products, training programmes, and digital payment solutions designed to enhance their competitiveness in both local and international markets.
Officials from the three institutions noted that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential for driving inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening Ghana’s private sector. They emphasised that women-owned SMEs remain an underfunded yet highly productive segment of the economy.
Under the collaboration, Stanbic Bank Ghana will provide targeted financial services and lending solutions to women-led businesses, while the International Finance Corporation will offer advisory support, technical assistance, and global expertise to help improve financial inclusion.
Mastercard will also contribute digital payment technologies and capacity-building programmes aimed at helping women entrepreneurs transition into the digital economy, enabling them to expand their customer base and improve operational efficiency.
According to the partners, the initiative aligns with broader efforts to close the gender financing gap and support women entrepreneurs who play a critical role in Ghana’s SME sector. SMEs account for a significant share of employment and economic activity in the country, yet many women-owned businesses continue to struggle with limited access to credit and financial services.
The organisations expressed optimism that the collaboration will help unlock new opportunities for women-led enterprises, strengthen business resilience, and contribute to sustainable economic development across Ghana.
