Driving financial
inclusion for
women in
Sierra Leone.
Women’s Green Bank is becoming Sierra Leone’s first women-only commercial bank — built on a proven model, backed by community, and designed for the women who power the informal economy.
Women’s Green Bank (SL) Ltd
African Development Bank
Proof-of-concept phase
Financial inclusion remains out of reach for the majority of Sierra Leone’s women.
Women drive the informal economy — as market traders, producers, and entrepreneurs. Yet the formal financial system has largely failed them. Women’s Green Bank exists to change this at scale.
Women’s Green Bank exists to change this — at scale, and sustainably.
Our model connects women in the informal sector to savings, credit, and financial tools designed around how they actually live and work — through community structures they already trust.
Built on what already works.
Before becoming Women’s Green Bank, our model was tested through partnerships with the Market Women Association of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB). The Women’s Banking Product — approved by the Bank of Sierra Leone in 2022 — became one of SLCB’s top-performing products within three years.
When banking is designed for women, participation follows. Women’s Green Bank is the next phase: a dedicated institution with women’s leadership at the centre.
Partnership with SLCB agreed
Co-venture agreement signed with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank to develop the Women’s Banking Product.
Product approved & accounts open
Bank of Sierra Leone approves the Women’s Banking Product. Market women begin saving immediately. First loans disbursed March 2023.
4,605 accounts · $350K loans · $230K deposits
The model proves that when access is designed for women, they save, borrow responsibly, and grow.
Women’s Green Bank (SL) Ltd registered
Central Bank approval secured. Full banking licence application in progress. AfDB discussions underway.
“When banking is designed for women, participation follows.”— Women’s Green Bank proof-of-concept, 2021–2024
Not just access — alignment.
Every design decision — from product structure to governance — starts with one question: does this work for women in Sierra Leone’s informal economy?
Designed for the informal sector
Products built around the realities of market women, traders, and small producers — not imported from a corporate banking template.
Delivered through trusted networks
We work through the Market Women Association and community structures already embedded in women’s daily lives — reducing friction and building trust.
Focused on long-term resilience
Savings, credit, and insurance designed around cycles of informal trade — not quarterly corporate reporting periods.
Women’s leadership at the centre
Governed by women, accountable to women. Paramount Chiefs and community leaders have been involved since the founding conversations.
A scalable, replicable model
Sierra Leone is the starting point. The partnership model between women’s associations, agritech, and formal banking is designed to travel across West Africa.
Aligned with global frameworks
Built to meet UN SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) — frameworks that matter to institutional investors and development partners.
One million women. One bank. Built for the future.
Our mission is to provide and facilitate access to financial services designed around the needs of one million business women operating in the informal sector. Our primary concern is their financial well-being. We desire to be the primary gateway to financial services for women in Sierra Leone — and eventually across West Africa.
Women’s Green Bank (SL) Ltd was registered in 2024 and is working with national and international partners toward full operational launch. Community engagement and sensitisation continue as we build the systems, governance, and approvals required.
Join us in building Sierra Leone’s first women-only commercial bank.
We are actively seeking mission-aligned investors, development finance institutions, and strategic partners to support the next phase of Women’s Green Bank.
- Equity stake in Women’s Green Bank (SL) Ltd
- Board observer or advisory seat
- Co-branding across community outreach
- Priority access to financial performance data
- First-mover positioning for regional expansion
- Programme funding for community sensitisation
- Technical assistance & capacity building
- Impact measurement and SDG reporting support
- Named recognition in all donor communications
- Co-authoring of impact case studies
- Fintech, mobile money & AgriTech integration
- Market access and logistics partnerships
- Training and financial literacy programmes
- Co-branded products reaching 1M+ women
- Preferred supplier status as bank scales
Recognised and supported by
Let’s build something that lasts.
Whether you are a development finance institution, a private investor, a strategic partner, a journalist, or simply someone who wants to follow our journey — we would love to hear from you.
We respond to all enquiries.
Please use the form to send a message and a member of the Women’s Green Bank team will be in touch within 3 working days.