Stanbic IBTC Financial institution has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting girls in enterprise by means of its Bloom Weekend initiative, an empowerment platform centered on management, monetary independence, and entrepreneurial success for girls.
Talking on the occasion, Olajumoke Bello, head of enterprise banking, emphasised the importance of making devoted alternatives for girls, noting that though the financial institution has constantly supported entrepreneurs, this programme was particularly tailor-made to girls. “This demonstrates Stanbic IBTC’s dedication to empowering, rising, and supporting girls and their companies all through the completely different phases of their careers and life journeys,” she mentioned. Bello expressed appreciation to contributors who confirmed robust curiosity within the occasion, highlighting the significance of entrepreneurship in driving financial improvement and transformative change. She famous that small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) represent over 80 to 90 p.c of the nation’s companies and are pivotal to Nigeria’s GDP.
She careworn that ladies, by their roles in households, communities, and the financial system, have a good better impression and sometimes carry immense obligations. “Typically the work girls do is missed, however once you discover an establishment that chooses to not ignore this effort and as an alternative builds platforms to showcase and help girls, that’s actually commendable,” she added.
Individuals on the Bloom Weekend got entry to a famend enterprise advisor with over 20 years of expertise in coaching SMEs. The programme featured modules on enterprise improvement, monetary administration, entrepreneurship, digital advertising, and enterprise mannequin improvement. These classes have been curated in collaboration with the Enterprise Growth Heart of the Pan-Atlantic College to offer sensible instruments for scaling companies.
The occasion additionally fostered networking alternatives amongst entrepreneurs, encouraging the formation of relationships and collaborations that stretch past the period of the weekend. Bello highlighted the significance of those connections, noting {that a} digital microsite had been developed to maintain the conversations going and to offer a platform for ongoing engagement and studying.
“We encourage everybody to totally take part, ask questions, share experiences. This summit is about extra than simply studying; it’s about constructing a group of like-minded people who can help and encourage one another. Your presence right here reveals your dedication to progress, which is precisely what our nation wants,” she mentioned.
In her remarks, Modupe Oluwafemi-Williams, staff lead for Digital and Enablement at Stanbic IBTC, strengthened the very important position SMEs play in Nigeria’s financial system. In accordance with her, SMEs account for 96 p.c of all companies and contribute 46 p.c to the nation’s GDP. “We aren’t simply onboarding small companies. We’re standing behind them as companions for sustainable progress,” she acknowledged.
She defined that Stanbic IBTC’s Enterprise Banking section was designed to fulfill the particular wants of SMEs, providing skilled advisory providers, versatile mortgage choices, digital instruments, and nationwide protection. Amongst its flagship merchandise are the Blue Blossom and BeSmart accounts. Blue Blossom is tailor-made for girls in enterprise and comes with advantages similar to zero account upkeep charges, concessionary mortgage charges, and entry to unique occasions. BeSmart is accessible to all entrepreneurs and gives cost-saving benefits by means of discounted account providers.
Stanbic IBTC has additionally expanded its mortgage choices with simply accessible digital loans by means of the VITA App and SME Lite, a short-term mortgage choice for microbusinesses and merchants that requires minimal documentation.
To enhance effectivity and ease of doing enterprise, the financial institution offers digital platforms such because the Enterprise On-line Platform and SME Cell App. These instruments permit enterprise house owners to deal with transactions, handle payroll, and oversee funds seamlessly. Further options embody real-time point-of-sale settlements and barcode-enabled fee options.
Oluwafemi-Williams described Stanbic IBTC as a “international monetary providers companion” dedicated to supporting the goals and resilience of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. She concluded by reaffirming the financial institution’s promise not simply to adjust to laws however to face beside entrepreneurs as they construct their companies and form the nation’s financial future.
