Bank Kompanion Signs WeCode to Support Women Entrepreneurs

Bishkek, July 4, 2025 – Bank Kompanion has joined the Women Entrepreneurs Financing Code (WeCode) by participating in the official signing ceremony in the Kyrgyz Republic. The event, held on July 4, 2025, in Bishkek, brought together the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan, and partner organizations.

This strategic initiative, developed in partnership with the EBRD, marks a significant milestone in shaping an institutional environment aimed at systematically removing barriers to financial services for women and unlocking their full economic potential.

A total of ten leading financial institutions in the country, including seven commercial banks, two microfinance institutions, and the Guarantee Fund, have officially joined the Code. By signing WeCode, these institutions have made a public commitment to three core principles: Leadership, Action, and Data, ensuring a comprehensive approach to supporting women’s entrepreneurship. The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic will coordinate the activities of the National WeCode Coalition, synchronizing the efforts of all participants and monitoring progress. A critical component of this initiative will be the implementation of gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis systems, enabling future regulatory and policy decisions to be based on evidence-driven insights.

Joining WeCode allows Bank Kompanion to strengthen its leadership in advancing women’s entrepreneurship both nationally and internationally.

“We believe that empowering women entrepreneurs is an investment in the country’s sustainable development, job creation, and financial inclusion. Joining WeCode aligns with Bank Kompanion’s ESG values and our mission to create a better future for our clients and society,” the bank emphasized.

Beyond financing, Bank Kompanion has consistently invested in developing women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable business growth. The bank offers training programs on financial literacy, fraud prevention, and agricultural and horticultural business practices, while also providing business management and growth advisory services to women entrepreneurs across the regions of Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, Bank Kompanion continues to enhance its internal policies and procedures to promote gender equality and plans to expand partnerships with women’s business associations, civil society organizations, and government institutions to create an enabling environment for women-led businesses.

About WeCode:
WeCode is a global multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at accelerating financing for women-led businesses by strengthening leadership, improving data collection and analysis, and implementing practical measures within the financial sector. The initiative is supported by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), which brings together global and national partners to advance the development of women’s entrepreneurship.