DBG Launches Women's Lending Programme to Boost Female-Led Businesses

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DBG has launched a dedicated women's lending programme to boost female-led businesses, which will be implemented through the bank's partner financial institutions. The programme aims to close the financing gaps that limit the growth of women-owned enterprises. Women continue to face significant barriers in accessing finance despite their contribution to Ghana's economic development.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of DBG, Professor Randolph Nsor-Ambala, said improving access to finance for women and young entrepreneurs should be viewed as an economic growth strategy rather than a social intervention. He noted that women face peculiar challenges in accessing financial assistance, including collateralisation requirements, formalisation challenges, and limited technical assistance.

Professor Nsor-Ambala explained that removing these structural barriers would enable more women-owned businesses to expand, improve productivity, and contribute more significantly to national economic growth. He said DBG's mandate is focused on strengthening Ghana's private sector by supporting start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which he described as the foundation of sustainable economic transformation.

Since commencing operations, DBG has disbursed more than GH¢2.5 billion through participating financial institutions, supporting about 1,000 businesses across Ghana. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of DBG, Michael Mensah-Baah, said the new programme seeks to provide targeted financial support to women-led businesses.

The programme is structured and tilted towards women-led businesses, and is not simply a gesture of goodwill. Over half of the enterprises supported by DBG are businesses led by women, and lending to women is not charity. The returns benefit households, and women contribute immensely to household wealth.

Some entrepreneurs who have benefited from financing through DBG's partner financial institutions shared testimonies during the event, saying the support had enabled them to expand production, grow their businesses, and create employment opportunities.

DBG's new programme is a significant initiative that seeks to address the barriers that women entrepreneurs face in accessing finance. The programme is expected to contribute to the growth of women-owned businesses and support national economic development.