Access Bank Plc has partnered SME.NG, Bank of Industry (BOI), LAPO Microfinance Bank, Chapel Hill Denham and the Impact Investment Foundation Nigeria to launch the Ebi Marketplace.

This is contained in a statement by Access Bank made available to the AllNews Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ebi Marketplace is a Nigerian innovation for female entrepreneurs, consisting of an access to capital market, an e-commerce mall and a knowledge market for female entrepreneurs in Nigeria seeking to digitise their businesses.

The statement said that Ebi Marketplace was conceptualised and developed by SME.NG, as a tangible solution to the impact of COVID-19 on female entrepreneurs.

The Ebi Marketplace aims to close the gender digital divide in Nigeria by supporting women’s digital literacy and financial inclusion, while providing access to capital and markets.

Ms Thelma Ekiyor, “SME.NG is committed to investing in facilitating female entrepreneurs’ profitability, so that they are positioned for infusion of capital.”

According to her, this innovation is supported by Nigerian investors for the Nigerian market.

“We at SME.NG see ourselves as an indigenous solutions provider in Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises ecosystem. Women in Nigeria establish businesses more than men but struggle to grow beyond a certain point.

“We believe we have a strategic role to play in breaking that financial and growth ceiling,” she noted.