Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Across the Advans Network

Empowering women entrepreneurs remains a core pillar of Advans’ impact. As of January 2026, 287, 000 women are clients across the Advans network, representing a +12% increase in just one year. These figures reflect the growing demand for financial services that support women in building and scaling their businesses.

Across our subsidiaries, this commitment translates into tangible results:

– In Ghana, women represent 60% of Advans clients, while 54% of the loan portfolio supports women entrepreneurs.

– In Nigeria, women account for 50% of the client base and hold 51% of total deposits, highlighting their growing financial empowerment. 

– In Tunisia, the loan portfolio dedicated to women entrepreneurs has increased by + 35% in just one year.  

Behind the thousands of women we support, strong partnerships such as our collaboration with Empow’Her in Cameroon, and innovative initiatives like in Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through these actions, Advans is committed to strengthening women’s financial inclusion in Africa by expanding their access to financing, microfinance for women, training, and tailored support.

Women Driving Advans’ Mission from Within

The impact Advans delivers to women entrepreneurs is closely connected to the people who drive the organization forward every day. Across our international microfinance institution, more than 1,700 women contribute their expertise, dedication, and leadership to advancing financial inclusion.

Today, women represent 51% of Advans’ workforce, reflecting a strong presence across the organization. Importantly, this commitment to gender equity extends to leadership: nearly 47% of managers and Executive Committee members are women. This demonstrates the progress made toward more balanced representation in decision-making roles and the effectiveness of Advans’ internal Human Resources policies promoting equitable career development.

In 2025, several subsidiaries stand out for their strong momentum in supporting women’s professional growth:

– In Tunisia, women represent nearly 70% of the staff, illustrating the strength of female talent across the organization.

– In Cameroon and Nigeria, more than half of Executive Committee members are women, reflecting significant progress in leadership representation.

– In Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Cameroon, a strong pipeline of women managers highlights Advans’ commitment to long-term gender equity and internal promotion.

These achievements demonstrate how inclusive HR practices are focused on fairness, professional development, and internal mobility, contributing to building stronger institutions.

Continuing the Journey Toward Gender Equity 

The progress achieved across the Advans network is encouraging, but gender equity remains an ongoing journey. As we continue to recognize the women who drive Advans’ mission every day, both within our teams and among the entrepreneurs we serve, we remain committed to carrying this work forward.

Because building a more inclusive financial system means ensuring that women have the opportunity not only to access finance, but also to lead, innovate, and shape the future of our institutions and economies.

To go further, discover the inspiring journeys of Vicentia and Justine, two Ghanaian entrepreneurs whose energy and determination illustrate the strength of women’s entrepreneurship, microfinance for women, and the importance of financial inclusion in Africa.