brand
Wema Bank Launches SME Business School 5.0
Wema Bank, the leading innovative bank in Nigeria, has announced the launch of its flagship capacity-building programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria – the Wema SME Business School 5.0.
The programme aims to equip SME business owners and entrepreneurs in Nigeria with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in business.
The Wema SME Business School 5.0, the fifth edition of the programme, will be held in Benin, Edo State, from May 22nd to May 26th. The programme will feature training and lectures on various aspects of business management and entrepreneurship, facilitated by subject matter experts and experienced entrepreneurs.
Arthur Nkemeh, Head of SME Banking at Wema Bank, stated that “Small businesses are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and as a bank, we are committed to supporting their growth and development. The Wema SME Business School is a valuable initiative designed to equip SME business owners and entrepreneurs with the right skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s business environment.”
Since its launch in 2021, the SME Business School has held four successful editions of the programme in different parts of the country, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Each edition of the programme has attracted over 500 SME business owners and entrepreneurs, who are selected through a call for applications and direct nominations.
The SME Business School 5.0 is open to all SME business owners and entrepreneurs in Nigeria who wish to improve their business management skills and grow their enterprises. Interested participants can register for the programme through the provided link or on the bank’s website.
The Wema SME Business School is part of Wema Bank’s commitment to promoting innovation and driving creativity in Nigeria. The bank remains dedicated to supporting the growth and development of small businesses in Nigeria, and the SME Business School is just one of the many initiatives that Wema Bank has launched to support SMEs. The business school is free for all SMEs that would be admitted.
FirstBank, a leading financial institution and provider of financial inclusion services in West Africa, announces the achievement of ₦1 trillion in cumulative instant digital loan disbursements. This accomplishment further consolidates the Bank’s reputation for innovation, leadership in financial inclusion, and commitment to customer empowerment within.
Since its inaugural digital loan in August 2019, FirstBank has developed an unconventional and robust digital lending ecosystem designed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to improve access to finance, especially to the high-risk customer segment. The Bank created a multi- channel loan disbursement service that requires no collaterals, zero documentation and is void of human interactions. Through its FirstAdvance, FirstCredit and AgentCredit products, 1.5 million unique borrowers enjoyed instant and secure access to credit. This is irrespective of whether they are salary earners, non-salary earners, or micro business owners. They also have the convenient options of accessing these loans through platforms such as *894# (FirstBank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp and the FirstMonie Agent App.
Regarding this milestone, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank, stated: “This success underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach, which are central to FirstBank’s core values. Beyond achieving substantial figures, we remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for financial independence across Nigeria in particular, and in Africa at large.’’
He added, “We value the trust our customers place in us to support their financial aspirations. Our efforts to advance digital lending will persist, especially to the excluded and underserved customer segments, while effectively managing risks in the process.”
FirstBank currently disburses about N1 Billion daily in digital loans, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive, technology-driven future for Nigerians. By consistently investing in advanced technologies and developing customised financial solutions, the Bank seeks to improve the financial well-being of individuals and businesses across the nation.
FirstBank, the West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to reaffirm its commitment to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development. This ongoing partnership was reinforced at the recently concluded Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in Seville, Spain.
The FfD4 Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and private sector experts to discuss innovative solutions to address the growing SDG financing gap and unlock capital for development in fragile and underserved regions.
FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer, Patrick Akhidenor, represented the bank at the conference and highlighted two FirstBank flagship initiatives driving resilience finance in Nigeria: The Solar Equipment Financing initiative and the revamped FirstGem Fund. The Solar Equipment Financing initiative offers tailored financing options for the purchase and installation of solar power systems, ensuring access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions. The FirstGem Fund, a women-focused proposition, provides single-digit interest loans to women entrepreneurs without collateral requirements, targeting funding gaps in critical sectors.
‘’We are committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development,” said Patrick Akhidenor. “Our partnership with UNGC and participation in the FfD4 Conference demonstrate our dedication to innovative finance solutions that address the SDG financing gap.”
Sanda Ojambo, CEO of UNGC, emphasized the need for innovative, inclusive financial models for underserved regions. “The private sector must play a central role in shaping fit-for-purpose, scalable finance solutions,” she said. “De-risking tools and blended finance can help unlock capital and drive meaningful impact.
FirstBank’s partnership with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and its SMEConnect hub demonstrate its capacity to lead efforts in sustainable finance. The bank provides training, networking, and tailored financing to SMEs across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and retail
Access Holdings PLC, the parent company of Access
-
news5 years agoUPDATE: #ENDSARS: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact – Says Sanwo – Olu
-
news2 years agoEnvironmental Pollutions : OGONI COMMUNITY CRIES OUT, THREATENS TO SHUT DOWN FIRSTBANK,SHELL OIL COMPANY OPERATIONS FOR NOT PAYING COURT AWARD
-
lifestyle5 years agoFormer Miss World: Mixed reactions trail Agbani Darego’s looks
-
health4 years agoChairman Agege LG, Ganiyu Egunjobi Receives Covid-19 Vaccines
-
lifestyle4 years agoObateru: Celebrating a Quintessential PR Man at 60
-
health5 years agoUPDATE : Nigeria Records 790 new cases of COVID-19
-
politics3 months agoBreaking : Oborevwori , Okowa others dumps PDP, defects to APC
-
news2 months agoBREAKING: Tinubu swears in new NNPCL Board