The Financial Alliance for Women has named nine network members as its 2026 Champions of the Female Economy.
Winners are selected objectively, based on the data members report to the Alliance’s annual Female Economy Analytics Survey. That reporting matters well beyond the awards: it is what proves the business case for serving women, and it is the foundation of the Alliance’s work.
Inez Murray, CEO of the Financial Alliance for Women, acknowledged that “it is not easy to maintain a bank’s focus on Women’s Markets,” but stressed that members have built “the blueprint for success” together. “Being the bank of choice for women means being the bank of choice overall,” she said.
Reaching more women, delivering impact
Centenary Bank, Uganda, was recognized as Access to Finance Champion for serving women customers and women-owned businesses well above Uganda’s national benchmarks, while continuing to grow women’s share of its customer base. “When women are empowered financially, the impact goes beyond her,” said Prossy Namubiru, Manager, Youth, Women and Refugees. “It reaches the family, the community, and the nation at large.”
BancoSol, Bolivia, takes home the first-ever Inclusion Champion award, new for 2026, which recognizes the member bringing under-served women and very small and informal enterprises into the formal financial system at scale. BancoSol serves almost 500,000 women with micro and small businesses, and its Avanza Mujer program combines financing, free value-added services and training to support these clients as they enter the banking system and grow. General Manager Verónica Gavilanes Vejar dedicated the award to Bolivia’s entrepreneurs: “This award is truly for women entrepreneurs. Bolivian women have a tireless entrepreneurial spirit.”
Ecobank was named Impact Champion for providing significant credit to women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises across its pan-African footprint, with strong year-on-year growth, and for rolling out Ellevate 2.0, which extends its reach to more women running businesses in the informal sector.
“For four decades, Ecobank has been driven by the idea that Africa is stronger when its people, businesses and markets are connected. Women entrepreneurs are central to that. We want to be more than a bank to them: a trusted partner on their journey, connecting them to finance, knowledge and networks. We want women entrepreneurs to know that we see their ambition, we believe in their potential, and we are here to help them grow,” said Vera-Marie Ayitey-Smith, Group Manager of Ellevate at Ecobank.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) took the Digital Innovation Champion title for reaching millions of women through online and mobile banking, with segment-specific digital offerings that guide them smoothly into digital savings, lending and investing. Agnes Ayelo, Senior Manager, Female Led & Made Enterprises (FLME), credited a segment KCB calls “nano”: “customers with very inconsistent cash flows and very little banking history” who are now embracing digital finance, savings and training.
Going beyond finance
First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nigeria, earned the Non-Financial Services Champion award for SheVentures, which offers women-led SMEs a full value proposition combining training and mentoring with strong in-person and online components. “Empowering women goes beyond just access to finance,” said Yewande Bello, Community and Marketing Manager. “It requires access to knowledge, networks, and markets.”
Banco BHD, Dominican Republic, was named Women in Leadership Champion. Women now hold 50 percent or more of both management and senior management roles at the bank, showing how years of commitment to Women’s Markets and internal inclusion pay off. Marketing Manager Laura Tactuk said the award recognizes both progress and “the responsibility we have to continue advancing this work.”
Strengthening the network
Banregio, Mexico, is this year’s Data Champion, having returned to the Female Economy Analytics Survey with one of the most comprehensive submissions in the network, reporting data across segments and products. “We know there is still a long way to go,” said Miriam Rodríguez, Manager of Responsible Banking, “but we will keep working to create more equitable opportunities and be part of the change.”
Standard Bank Group, also trading as Stanbic Bank, takes the Engagement Champion award for consistently sharing its know-how on serving Women’s Markets with the Alliance network and wider sector, as expert speakers and mentors. Senior Business Manager Lerato Majuru thanked the women the group serves across its markets, “whose ambition, resilience, and achievements inspire us every day.”
Bank al Etihad, Jordan, was named Outstanding Contributor for hosting the Alliance’s 2026 All Stars program and for its continued commitment to championing the Female Economy. “It was a great experience for us, for Jordan, and for Bank al Etihad,” said Rana al Junidi, Manager, Brand Partnerships and Experiences.
Looking ahead
Together, this year’s champions show what the data has long made clear: serving women well is good business. The Alliance congratulates all nine awardees and looks forward to the momentum they will bring to the network in the year ahead.
