Societe Generale Ghana engages women business owners on financing and growth

Societe Generale Ghana recently hosted a gathering for women business owners, offering a direct forum between entrepreneurs and the bank's top executives. This meeting was part of Societe Generale Ghana's ongoing commitment to understanding and addressing the unique challenges women-led enterprises face in Ghana. During the session, business owners shared their experiences, pinpointed challenges, and discussed growth opportunities.

The event allowed the bank to gain crucial insights into how it can better tailor its products, services, and relationship support to meet the needs of women-owned businesses.

Managing Director Hakim Ouzzani emphasized the bank's dedication to empowering Ghanaian businesses to not only survive but also grow, compete, and create lasting value. The meeting reinforced the bank's belief that supporting women entrepreneurs involves more than just providing financial products. It is equally important to understand their specific business realities, offer relevant advice, and build enduring relationships to help enterprises thrive.

Company Secretary Angela Bonsu introduced Societe Generale Ghana's sustainability agenda and the SG Woman offer, a banking proposition specifically designed to support women-led businesses. This offer provides credit facilities with minimal collateral requirements, dedicated relationship management, free mentorship through partner programs, and business advisory and capacity-building support through the SG Home of Business.

The conversation also delved into the bank's credit assessment process and the various financing solutions available to support businesses at different growth stages. These solutions include working capital facilities such as overdrafts and revolving advances, invoice discounting, factoring, and purchase order financing. Long-term financing options discussed included term loans, finance leases, and green financing for sustainable investments like solar energy and electric vehicles.

Participants were encouraged to consider financing options that align with their business cash-flow cycles to ensure efficient growth. The session also highlighted Societe Generale Ghana's Privilege Banking product, which extends beyond traditional business banking to address personal financial needs, including mortgage solutions and home insurance.

The open discussion allowed participants to ask their questions directly to the bank's senior management, and many shared positive experiences of their relationship with Societe Generale Ghana and the bank's role in supporting their business growth.