Absa Inspire Me Conference strengthens support for women-led SMEs

Absa Bank has hosted the 2025 edition of its flagship Inspire Me Conference in Lusaka, Zambia. The annual pan-African gathering brought together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers and strategic partners to share their journeys, build networks and support the growth of women-led enterprises.

Held under the theme “Elevating HerStory – United for Purpose”, the 2025 forum provided a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, form strategic partnerships and explore new pathways for leadership and cross-border expansion.

Over the course of two days, Absa Bank Zambia PLC welcomed delegates from Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius and Zambia, alongside representatives from both the public and private sectors. The agenda featured panel discussions led by accomplished women entrepreneurs and industry experts, a marketplace exhibition of innovative women-owned brands, and targeted business-to-business engagements.

In a goodwill message shared during the conference, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway, Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana LTD, emphasised the importance of long-term investment in women’s economic advancement:

“Women entrepreneurs are reshaping industries, creating jobs and leading positive change. The Inspire Me Conference is a reflection of our belief that their stories matter and that their success is essential to inclusive, long-term economic growth.”

Absa Bank Ghana LTD continues to support women-led businesses through bespoke financial products and capacity-building initiatives. These include the Bank’s SheBusiness proposition, which offers collateral-free SME loans of up to GHS 2 million at a competitive annual interest rate of 10 percent, as well as partnerships that facilitate access to markets, mentorship and advisory services.

The Inspire Me Conference forms a key pillar of SheBusiness. It provides a space for peer learning, regional collaboration and greater visibility for women entrepreneurs across Africa. The initiative complements on-the-ground interventions such as the SME Banking Suite at Absa’s Adum branch in Kumasi, where women entrepreneurs benefit from a dedicated space for connection, growth and personalised support.

The 2025 conference reaffirmed Absa’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment by amplifying stories of resilience, facilitating high-impact partnerships and linking entrepreneurs to the platforms and policies that support business expansion. Ghanaian delegates contributed actively to the dialogue, joining peers from across the continent to share insights and explore a more inclusive and resilient future for African enterprise.

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