Ecobank is collaborating with Google to help African SMEs adapt to their digital landscape and build their digital landscape, media reports said. Because work from home during the current crisis has become the new norm, it is essential for companies to become more agile on the digital front.
With the new partnership, Ecobank will offer various solutions including Google My Business and Google Ad products for SME customers. Also, the bank will ensure strong engagement between SMEs and customers. Overall, SMEs operating in Africa can gain a competitive advantage through the partnership between Ecobank and Google.
The digital packages will be available to Ecobank’s SME customers across Sub-Saharan Africa in May this year, media reports said.
Josephine Anan-Ankomah, Ecobank’s executive for commercial banking, told the media, “Our objective is to be the partner of choice for SMEs by meaningfully supporting their success and growth. It is therefore a natural step for us to work with Google to help improve the capabilities of our SME customers. We are focused on helping them thrive by adopting technology, which is becoming increasingly essential for [the] survival of businesses today.”
Ecobank is a pan-African banking conglomerate with operations in 36 countries. It is an independent regional banking group in West Africa and Central Africa serving whole and retail customers. The ongoing pandemic has disturbed the continent’s business landscape with loss of jobs and slash in revenues.
It is important for African SMEs to capitalise on Ecobank’s commercial opportunities which involves digital capabilities.