Stanbic Bank Rolls Out ‘Obaa Sima’ to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
By Maame Efua Kwadduah
Stanbic Bank Ghana has introduced a new women-centred banking initiative, Obaa Sima, designed to improve access to finance and business support for women, especially those operating in the informal sector.
The product launched under the theme “Unlocking the Strength of a Woman”, aims to address these issues through a combination of financial and non-financial services.
These include access to Stanbic’s business incubator for skills development and financial literacy, opportunities to expand through international trade channels such as Africa-China partnerships, and linkages to offshore investment platforms.
Clients will also benefit from advisory support and customised financial solutions tailored to both business and personal financial advancement.
The initiative comes at a time when women remain key contributors to Ghana’s economic activity but continue to encounter structural obstacles in accessing funding. Data shows that although women-owned enterprises account for about 44 percent of Ghana’s GDP, many face difficulties obtaining formal financing due to inadequate collateral, smaller-scale operations and limited access to customised financial solutions.
In her keynote address, the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Matilda Asante Asiedu, highlighted the wider economic importance of empowering women through inclusive financial systems. She noted that the Obaa Sima programme reflects a carefully considered response to the actual needs of women in Ghana’s economy, particularly those active in trade, agriculture and emerging digital ventures.
She described the launch as both symbolic and purposeful, stressing that beyond introducing a financial product, it reinforces a well-established reality: “When a woman rises, she lifts households, communities, nations and generations.”
She further emphasised the vital role women play across economic value chains. “Women are central to economic activity from Makola’s busy markets to agribusiness value chains and the growing digital economy. They form the backbone of micro, small and medium enterprises, dominating trade, agriculture, retail and increasingly, services and innovation,” she stated.
Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank, Kwamina Asomaning, placed the initiative within the bank’s broader agenda of promoting financial inclusion and economic development. Drawing on the bank’s continental reach and legacy, he explained that the Obaa Sima solution was crafted based on a deep appreciation of the specific challenges women encounter.
He noted that while strategy and partnerships are essential, the driving force behind the initiative is belief belief in the capacity of Ghanaian women and in the role of financial institutions to bridge ambition and opportunity.
“Today’s launch represents our commitment to expanding inclusion and unlocking the economic potential of Ghanaian women. From the entrepreneur in Kumasi to the professional in Accra, the trader in Tamale and the young innovator shaping future enterprises, Stanbic Bank recognises you, understands your journey and is dedicated to supporting your growth,” he said.
The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, praised Stanbic Bank for adopting a focused approach to addressing the financing gap. She indicated that enhancing women’s access to finance requires more than just the provision of credit.
According to her, it calls for a blend of advisory support, capacity development and continuous engagement. She added that the Obaa Sima initiative illustrates what can be achieved when financial services are aligned with the practical needs of women-led enterprises.
While acknowledging progress made, she urged greater collaboration among stakeholders, calling on financial institutions, government, development partners and the private sector to work collectively to eliminate structural barriers that hinder women’s full participation in the economy.
