On 25–26 March 2026, I took part in a training on “Financial Management and Access to Financing” in Ouagadougou. I was invited by Ecobank Burkina Faso to represent Massaka SAS, and the training was delivered by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. I had no great expectations before the session, but I was surprised by how much one can learn in just two days.
Training format and networking
While leaving the office in the morning, I remember saying to my colleague, “I hope I don’t get bored.” That was mainly because I have had difficulties in the past following trainings on accounting and finance. The problem was often the use of technical words or jargon, which made me feel left out.
The first thing I appreciated about this training by IFC was that it was tailor-made for entrepreneurs. With simple words and practical examples, it was easy to follow, relate to, and note action points for our companies. It was also an opportunity to meet and network with other entrepreneurs from various sectors, ranging from agro-industry, pharmaceuticals, mining, energy, and others.
Key learnings
The two-day training covered the following modules:
- Improving profitability
- Cash flow
- Record-keeping for better decision-making
- Working capital strategies
- Credit management
- Savings strategy
Each module was very interesting, and I appreciated that we were also provided with a learner’s journal, in which we could note what we learned and action points for our respective companies. The delivery mode was also engaging, with group discussions during each section.
Discovering “Ellever”
During the module on credit management, I also discovered the “Ellever” program by Ecobank. It is a tailored support initiative designed to empower women-led and women-focused businesses. It provides access to preferential financing, business training, digital tools, and networking opportunities to help women entrepreneurs grow and compete effectively, including access to regional markets through platforms like the AfCFTA Trade Hub.
The program is open to businesses that meet at least one gender-related criterion, such as female ownership, leadership, workforce representation, or offering products targeted at women. The Ellever program was launched in Burkina Faso in 2021 and has since provided credit to women-led SMEs starting from as little as two million FCFA.
Closing of the training and meeting with Ecobank’s Managing Director
The training ended with a certificate-giving ceremony for the participants and a commitment to keep revising the different modules through the WhatsApp group that was created for the cohort.
In the context of the end-of-month activities celebrating International Women’s Day, I was also invited, alongside other women entrepreneurs, to Ecobank’s headquarters for an exchange session with their Managing Director, Mrs. Noëllie Cécile Tiendrébéogo.
She shared her experience as a woman leading a bank and was joined by other entrepreneurs in the room in discussing the challenges they faced and how each had addressed them. The key messages from this session were that fear should not stop us from achieving our goals, and that discipline in all aspects is important, especially regarding finance.
Next steps
After these three days with Ecobank, the next step for me is to apply what I have learned to the company’s operations and seize opportunities for growth.
The training started by asking us to visualise the future of our companies. I now have a clear vision for mine, and I am confident that, with the tools I have gained, it will be easier to achieve the goals I have set.