STANBIC ANAKAZI BANKING CONTINUES TO SUPPORT FEMALE-LED BUSINESS IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Stanbic Zambia’s Anakazi Banking has continued to support and harness the power of female-led businesses in Zambia to promote equitable opportunities and help both men and women realise their dreams, even in times of economic uncertainty.
Speaking during a webinar hosted by the International Center for Trade’s SheTrades initiative, Stanbic Zambia’s Head of Enterprise Banking Eunice Mundia said the bank, through its Anakazi Banking initiative, had created tailored services to meet the business needs of women.
Ms Mundia said the bank was set to increase its focus on women this year, through more capacity-building programmes and continuous support through access to finance.
"Female entrepreneurs are clearly still playing catch-up and this needs to change. At Stanbic, we are keen to help create a level playing field for them to succeed.
“As a bank, we have always been actively seeking ways to empower our female customers with greater access to financial resources and knowledge management so they can grow and excel at all levels. The partnership between Stanbic Zambia and SheTrades is yet another demonstration of our commitment to this cause,” she said.
She further said the bank will ensure there are inclusive and targeted financial products available for women-owned businesses and enterprises.
And CEO of CBC Television Zambia and an Anakazi Banking customer Rose Sibisi stressed the need for professional women to ensure that they continually broaden their scope, sharpen their skills and widen their horizon for them to rise to the top of their career.
She commended Stanbic for the financial support the bank has rendered to the business community, especially women-owned businesses.
“The Anakazi Banking platform has given me more financial knowledge as well as invaluable connections with other women in the business community. As women in business, the learning and knowledge sharing opportunities helps us become more independent and unlock financial services, such as savings and credit,” said Ms Sibisi, who was part of a group of more than 20 women entrepreneurs who received top-class entrepreneurial training under the auspices of Stanbic Bank’s Anakazi Banking in recent years.
Anakazi Banking, a banking proposition that seeks to empower women entrepreneurs by giving them access to capital, education and business mentorship, focuses on both increased access to finance and capacity building activities for women entrepreneurs. These platforms include training, mentorship and networking events to build knowledge in business management and access to markets, and assistance in business formalisation.
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About Stanbic Bank Zambia
Stanbic Bank Zambia is part of the Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets.
Standard Bank Group reported total assets R2.3 trillion (about USD163 billion) at 31 December 2019, while its market capitalisation was R277 billion (USD20 billion).
The group has direct, on-the-ground representation in 20 African countries and in 5 global financial centres. Standard Bank Group has more than 1 100 branches and 9 000 ATMs in Africa, making it one of the largest banking networks on the continent. It provides global connections backed by deep insights into the countries where it operates.
Stanbic Bank Zambia is the largest bank in Zambia by balance sheet and provides the full spectrum of financial services. Its Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) division serves a wide range of requirements for banking, finance, trading, investment, risk management and advisory services. Corporate and Investment Banking delivers this comprehensive range of products and services relating to: investment banking; global markets; and global transactional products and services.
Standard Bank’s corporate and investment banking expertise is focused on industry sectors that are most relevant to emerging markets. It has strong offerings in mining and metals; oil, gas and renewables; power and infrastructure; agribusiness; telecommunications and media; and financial institutions.
Stanbic Bank Zambia’s Personal and Business Banking unit (PBB) offers banking and other financial services to individuals and small-to-medium enterprises. PBB serves the increasing need among Africa’s small business and individual customers for banking products that can meet their shifting expectations and growing wealth.
For further information, go to http://www.stanbicbank.co.zm/
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