Collins Sefa 
The Director of Enterprise Business and Wholesale at Telecel Ghana, Tawa Bolarin, has emphasized the importance of empowering women-led businesses and the role of strategic partnerships in driving their growth and sustainability.
Speaking at the launch of Absa Bank Ghana’s ‘She Business’, a reimagined banking proposition offering collateral-free loans and tailored support for women entrepreneurs, Bolarin highlighted the synergy between Absa and Telecel through the Women in Business initiative—a pioneering program by Telecel Ghana designed to tackle challenges unique to women-led enterprises.
“I am delighted to celebrate the launch of Absa’s ‘She Business’ and speak about the incredible work we are doing together to transform women-led businesses. This will collectively ensure the growth and sustainability of small and medium-scale enterprises run by women,” she stated.
Empowering Through Finance and Collaboration
Absa’s ‘She Business’ provides up to GH₵2 million in collateral-free loans to eligible female entrepreneurs at a highly competitive 10% annual interest rate. This initiative forms part of the bank’s efforts to narrow Ghana’s estimated $6.1 billion MSME credit gap, especially for women entrepreneurs who typically face greater financial barriers.
Dr. Edward Nartey Botchway, Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana, noted that the initiative represents a tangible commitment to supporting female-led businesses.
“‘She Business’ is a statement of our intent to help women entrepreneurs take advantage of real business opportunities. For us, it is a compelling opportunity to implement a system that helps MSMEs thrive,” he said.
Audrey Abakah, Director of SME Banking and Partnerships at Absa, emphasized that the offering is informed by extensive engagement with women entrepreneurs.
“Our approach is based on what women told us they value most: practical support, affordable credit, and a bank that sees their potential and stands with them at every stage of growth. ‘She Business’ is designed to deliver on all those needs,” she explained.
A Powerful Partnership for Women in Business
The event brought together influential figures from Absa Bank Ghana, Telecel Ghana, and partner institutions such as Mastercard Foundation, Hollard Ghana, DHL Group, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, and Development Bank Ghana.
Bolarin took the opportunity to introduce the six core growth pillars of Telecel’s Women in Business initiative:
Empower, Assure, Accelerate, Reach, Engage, and Reward. These pillars provide a comprehensive framework to equip women entrepreneurs with tools to scale their enterprises, access financial and digital support, and build networks for growth.
“I encourage all women entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the Absa ‘She Business’ account and the Telecel Women in Business package to ensure the growth and scalability of their enterprises,” Bolarin said. “We are committed to creating an ecosystem that allows women in business to thrive and reach their fullest potential.”
Tailored Support for Women-Led SMEs
The Telecel Women in Business initiative offers a robust suite of benefits tailored to women-led SMEs, including:
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Access to collateral-free loans
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Health and life insurance packages
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Digital marketing support
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An exclusive knowledge and insights platform
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Opportunities for networking and rewards programs
Together, Telecel Ghana and Absa Bank Ghana are redefining what support for women entrepreneurs looks like—creating inclusive, accessible, and impactful solutions that foster long-term success and economic empowerment.
