ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, March 8, 2025/APO Group/ –Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (www.Ecobank.com), the leading Pan African Bank, takes a major step forward in its commitment to financial inclusion with the launch of the first Gender Bond in West Africa. This groundbreaking bond issuance, amounting to XOF 10 billion, aims to mobilize funding for women-owned and women-led businesses, reducing financing inequalities and fostering inclusive economic growth.

Named “Ellever Gender Bond 6.5% 2024-2029,” this bond has been structured and arranged by EDC Investissement Corporation (EIC), Ecobank’s Brokerage and Asset Management subsidiary. It marks Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire’s second bond issuance after its initial fundraising in 2013. Aligned with international sustainable finance standards, the Gender Bond has received an independent second-party opinion from Morningstar Sustainalytics, ensuring compliance with global best practices in responsible investment.

Since its inception, the ELLEVER program has made a tangible impact on women entrepreneurship. In 2024, over 3,465 businesses registered, benefiting from XOF 13.25 billion in disbursed loans. However, access to financing remains a significant challenge for women entrepreneurs in West Africa, where less than 20% of women-led SMEs have access to adequate funding. Globally, Gender Bonds represented only USD 14.5 billion, accounting for just 1.5% of the sustainable bond market in 2023, underscoring the need to expand such initiatives.

According to Paul-Harry Aithnard, Managing Director of Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, women’s financial inclusion is a major economic priority. “This Gender Bond provides a tangible solution to the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in West Africa. Today, women-led businesses are recognized for their resilience and performance, yet they remain significantly underfunded. Through this issuance, we reaffirm our commitment to building an ecosystem where women have full access to the financial resources they need to grow and succeed. This is a powerful tool to transform access to financing and sustainably accelerate the growth of women-led businesses.”

The “Ellever Gender Bond 6.5% 2024-2029” offers investors and the public a unique opportunity to combine profitability with social impact. This five-year bond provides an attractive annual interest rate of 6.5% with a two-year capital repayment grace period. The total issuance of XOF 10 billion consists of one million securities with a nominal value of XOF 10,000 each.

All funds raised will be fully allocated to strengthening the ELLEVER program, financing initiatives led by women, and providing them with tailored financial and technical support. Roseline Abé, Chief Executive Officer of EDC Investissement Corporation, highlights the significance of this initiative: “We have structured this bond to be attractive to investors while delivering a strong impact on women’s empowerment in Côte d’Ivoire. This is a unique opportunity to combine financial performance with social inclusion.”

With this Gender Bond, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire cements its leadership in sustainable finance and paves the way for greater economic inclusion. The bank’s ambition goes beyond this issuance, as it envisions a long-term strategy to promote innovative and inclusive financial instruments.

Paul-Harry Aithnard concludes: “This issuance is just the beginning. We will continue to develop tailored solutions to enhance women’s participation in the economy and encourage other financial institutions to follow this path.”

Through this initiative, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire is transforming access to finance and reaffirming its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 7, 2025/APO Group/ –On this International Women’s Day, the Youth Charter (www.YouthCharter.org) proudly highlights its commitment to empowering girls and women across the globe through sports, physical activity, cultural, and artistic endeavours. We recognise the vital role that engagement in these areas plays in fostering confidence, resilience, and a sense of community among women and girls. We pay tribute to our female ambassadors who continue to support our work.

Over the years, the Youth Charter has implemented numerous initiatives designed to inspire and support young women. Our programmes not only promote participation in traditional sports but also encourage involvement in martial arts and combat sports, recognising their unique benefits in building self-defence skills, discipline, and mental fortitude.

“At the forefront of our mission is the belief that every girl and woman is entitled to equal access to sports and physical activity” said Dame Sarah Storey, Vice President of the Youth Charter. “We also recognise the importance of cultural and artistic expression in empowering women”.

Combat sports also offer unique opportunities for empowerment and growth. The Youth Charter promotes martial arts as a means to enhance physical fitness, self-esteem, and personal safety.”

This International Women’s Day, we encourage everyone to support our mission by promoting participation in sports, arts, and martial arts among women and girls. Together, we can create an inclusive environment where young women can thrive, develop leadership skills, and inspire future generations.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of women and girls in sports and arts. Together, we can break barriers and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

PARIS, France, March 7, 2025/APO Group/ –Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary, African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA), is confirmed to speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris this May, sharing insights on the critical developments and opportunities shaping the future of refining and distribution across the continent.

ARDA, a key player in advancing Africa’s refining capabilities, is at the forefront of enhancing the region’s downstream infrastructure to meet growing energy demand and fuel economic development. With a focus on improving refining capacity, expanding distribution networks and driving cleaner fuels adoption, ARDA is working to modernize the sector through strategic collaborations, policy advocacy and industry innovation. This includes ARDA’s comprehensive roadmap to modernize refineries, enhance distribution logistics and promote cleaner fuel solutions, positioning Africa as a key player in the global energy market.

IAE 2025 (apo-opa.co/4kw0LOD) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Kragha’s participation at IAE 2025 comes at a pivotal moment as Africa’s refining sector prepares for significant growth. In Nigeria, the Dangote Oil Refinery, Africa’s largest crude processing facility, is on track to reach full operational capacity this March, processing 650,000 barrels per day (bpd). Expected to meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for all refined petroleum products, the refinery recently made its first purchase of Algeria’s light sweet Saharan Blend crude, marking a milestone for intra-African crude trading. South Africa has also announced plans to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of the Sapref refinery to 600,000 bpd, emphasizing the country’s need for a mega refinery and seeking regional partnerships to develop one.

Angola is developing three new refineries to boost capacity, with the 60,000 bpd Cabinda refinery scheduled to start operations in July 2025. Additionally, the Fouta Refinery in the Republic of Congo, designed to produce 2.5 million tons of petroleum products per year, is expected to be operational by the end of this year. With a focus on addressing the challenges of energy demand, improving fuel quality and ensuring sustainability, ARDA is playing a crucial role in facilitating the transformation of the sector.