It has been almost 17 years since Ethiopia entered the sphere of private sector banking. Since 1994 the country has witnessed the birth of a small albeit profitable financial sector with around 18 commercial banks and a growing number of microfinance institutions working the stage.
Where do women find themselves amidst this growing banking sector one may ask? And the sad truth is – not in positions of influence and neither as beneficiaries of access to credit. Many female entrepreneurs echo that they experience problems accessing bank loans in a financial system that is dominated by men and does not put into context the needs of female credit seekers. At an EWIB (Ethiopian Women In Business) gathering I was fortunate to attend two months ago in Addis, the major concerns shared highlighted the existence of barriers for women accessing start up capital.
In a study conducted by the Centre for African Women’s Economic Empowerment (CAWEE), it was found that because of the hurdles faced in accessing funds for start up, female entrepreneurs usually use their own money or loans from friends and family which inhibits the size and growth of their business as these acquired funds are limited.
But that is going to hopefully change very soon with the emergence of Ethiopia’s first women focused and women controlled bank. ENAT (an Amharic word for mother) is a bank founded by a group of thirteen female entrepreneurs and professionals that came together with a common vision of addressing this financing gap and empowering women by giving them easier access to credit. While it is a profit-making venture and open to women and men shareholders, what makes ENAT unique from other local banks is that the social focus is on creating accessibility for historically marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the commercial sector. It will do this by un-complicating loan eligibility processes and setting up advising mechanisms on project documentation for women.
Soon the founding members will pass on the reigns to an elected Board of Directors which per ENAT’s requirement will be a gender equal Board, with 50-50 representation.
Currently, Meaza Ashenafi, the founder and former Chair of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association and founding member of ENAT Bank, serves as the Chairwoman of the female founding members/promoters. I consider myself lucky to work alongside these visionary women as Board Assistant and to be part of what I consider a historic venture in the Ethiopian financial sector.
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Love & Light
Banking on Women
Enat is the only gender segmented bank happening in Ethiopia. I feel the segmentation is great but does the environment is conducive to discharge its purposes? No.
As we all know idea financing is not allowed in Ethiopia. Anybody who needs to take loan to do business or whatever must present collateral. This is the imperative of the governing body of the whole banks operating in the country- National Bank of Ethiopia rule. And Enat Bank will not be an exception from this rule. So what will make this bank like chalk and cheese from other banks? Nothing but its name.
It is a clear fact the collateral or the wealth allotment is still in the hands of the male. The women can’t provide collateral; this makes the women not to be the beneficiaries of their own bank. Very true; the bank will not come back with a difficulty of the women.
It could have been very easy for the bank to serve its key customers, the women, if it was out of the regulatory organ command regarding loan service delivery.
But as a Strategic planning and management expert, I like the vision, mission and values of the bank. But I tell you it will not be a different bank from other commercial banks in the country. The great effort has to start from the head, not from the tail. The current patriarchy must reconstruct.
I like Ethiopianfeminist
Mr. Peace