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Tag: Wema Bank

  • Wema Bank’s H1 PBT rises 231%to N101.2b

    Wema Bank’s H1 PBT rises 231%to N101.2b

    Wema Bank Plc has recorded significant rise in profit before tax to N101.2 billion in its half-year unaudited results for the  period ended June 30, 2025.

    The results sent to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), showed that the PBT rose 231 per cent from N30.55 billion it achieved in same period of last year.

    The bank’s gross earnings also rose to N303.20 billion, reflecting a 70 per cent increase from N178.63 billion posted in the first half of last year.

    Other highlights showed that interest Income grew by 65 per cent year-on-year to N240.12 billion from N145.53 billion recorded in 2024, while Non-Interest Income surged by 91 per cent year-on-year to N63.08 billion against N33.10 billion achieved in same period of last year.

    Wema Bank’s balance sheet remained robust and well-structured, with total assets rising from N3.585 trillion to N3.963 trillion; deposit base growing by three per cent from N2.523 trillion in to N2.60trillion.

    Its loans and advances grew by 19 per cent to N1.426 trillion, compared to N1.201 trillion reported in 2024.

     The bank’s Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio stood at 3.17 per cent, reflecting the bank’s continued focus on maintaining asset quality. These indicators not only reflect Wema Bank’s resilience and efficiency, but also its strong capacity to sustain its growth momentum and continue to deliver optimum value to its stakeholders.

    Read Also: Wema Bank’s SARA initiative lifts women entrepreneurs with ₦2m grants

    Commenting on the outstanding results, Wema Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Moruf Oseni, affirmed the Bank’s commitment to maintaining the upward growth trajectory in its financials and delivering optimum value to every stakeholder of Wema Bank.

    According to him, “For 80 years, Wema Bank has redefined impossible, consistently breaking new ground and raising the bar in delivering positive impact.

    3 years ago, we took our Profit Before Tax from N14.75 billion in 2022 to N43.59 billion in 2023, and in 2024, our PBT stood at an impressive N102 billion. Now, just halfway through 2025, we have achieved over 99 per cent of our 2024 full-year PBT in just H1, and for us, this is just a starting point”.

    “As a Bank, we have remained committed to surpassing expectations and redefining limitations and this is a standard we are prepared to uphold relentlessly. Wema Bank is the Bank that works for all and we will continue to pull all stops in delivering optimum value to every stakeholder, from our shareholders to customers, employees, partners, regulators, and every person and institution who has played a part in our 80-year journey and beyond,” Oseni stated.

    For eight decades, Wema Bank has built a legacy of empowering lives, breaking untapped ground, setting industry standards, proving unmatched resilience and delivering unparalleled value to Nigerians of all ages, from all walks of life and across diverse verticals and industries. These Unaudited Financial Results further reflect the Bank’s strength and capacity to sustain its legacy in the decades to come.

    Other key profitability and efficiency metrics that further underscore the Bank’s performance, as recorded in the H1 2025 Unaudited Results, include a 60.4 per cent growth in Return on Average Equity (ROAE), 4.64 per cent growth in Return on Average Assets (ROAA), 13.68 per cent growth in Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and 47.55 per cent growth in Cost-to-Income Ratio.

  • Wema Bank lifts women entrepreneurs with N2m grants

    Wema Bank lifts women entrepreneurs with N2m grants

    Three women entrepreneurs have received a combined N2 million in business grants from SARA by Wema, the women-focused proposition by Wema Bank, at the SheCan 6.0 Conference.

    The grant recipients were Omobolaji Shittu, founder and CEO of Bolat Paints, who received the grand prize of N1 million; Abisola Opeyemi of Royal Bags; and Blessed Godspower-Okitikpi, founder of Blessed Flow Cup, who each received N500,000 to grow their businesses.

    Omobolaji Shittu expressed her excitement and gratitude, saying, “I feel so excited, I’m happy, and I didn’t see it coming. The application process was online, but I made it through. I’m a lady in a male-dominated industry, and for Sara by Wema to believe in me and support my vision; I’m beyond grateful.”

    Abisola Opeyemi also expressed her gratitude, stating, “The application was so seamless. I’m so grateful to Sara by Wema Bank for investing in women like me and believing in African businesses.

     We can do more, and they’ve just shown us how.”

    Blessed Godspower-Okitikpi was visibly emotional, saying, “I’m speechless. I did not expect this at all. With this grant, I can push my business forward and reach more women with this product. Thank you, Sara by Wema. Long live your impact.”

    The three women were selected from over 150 applicants through a competitive pitch process.

    According to Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, supporting businesses is fundamental to driving economic growth and national development.

    He noted that the bank’s focus on women-owned businesses is deliberate; saying empowering women leads to thriving families, flourishing communities, and a strengthened economy.

     “Over the years, we have empowered thousands of entrepreneurs through access to finance, capacity development, and strategic partnerships, and we have seen firsthand how these investments change lives. Our focus on women-owned businesses is deliberate, because we know that when women succeed – families thrive, communities flourish, and the economy is strengthened.”

    Read Also: FG issues new cash advance thresholds

    Through SARA by Wema, the bank provides financial access, business advisory, personal development tools, and wellness support for women at various stages of life and enterprise. This initiative aims to create an environment where Nigerian women can dream bigger, build stronger, and lead the economy with confidence.

    The SheCan Conference has become a prominent platform for entrepreneurship, career growth, and community, empowering over 26,000 women since its inception. The 2025 edition gathered over 15,000 women, featuring panel sessions on personal development, business scaling, and family-life balance.

    The bank’s investment in women is a long-term strategy rooted in purpose to nurture innovation, unlock potential, and build a more inclusive and prosperous society for all. As Wema Bank continues to invest in platforms like SheCan, its message remains clear: women can do more, and with the right support, they will.

  • Wema Bank’s SARA initiative lifts women entrepreneurs with ₦2m grants

    Wema Bank’s SARA initiative lifts women entrepreneurs with ₦2m grants

    Three women entrepreneurs have received a combined ₦2 million in business grants from SARA by Wema, the women-focused proposition by Wema Bank, at the SheCan 6.0 Conference.

    The grant recipients were Omobolaji Shittu, founder and CEO of Bolat Paints, who received the grand prize of ₦1 million; Abisola Opeyemi of Royal Bags; and Blessed Godspower-Okitikpi, founder of Blessed Flow Cup, who each received ₦500,000 to grow their businesses.

    Omobolaji Shittu expressed her excitement and gratitude, saying, “I feel so excited, I’m happy, and I didn’t see it coming. The application process was online, but I made it through. I’m a lady in a male-dominated industry, and for Sara by Wema to believe in me and support my vision, I’m beyond grateful.”

    Abisola Opeyemi also expressed her gratitude, stating, “The application was so seamless. I’m so grateful to Sara at Wema Bank for investing in women like me and believing in African businesses. We can do more, and they’ve just shown us how.”

    Blessed Godspower-Okitikpi was visibly emotional, saying, “I’m speechless. I did not expect this at all. With this grant, I can push my business forward and reach more women with this product. Thank you, Sara, from Wema. Long live your impact.”

    READ ALSO: Tunde Onakoya playfully woos Genevieve Nnaji as netizens react

    The three women were selected from over 150 applicants through a competitive pitch process.

    According to Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, supporting businesses is fundamental to driving economic growth and national development.

    He noted that the bank’s focus on women-owned businesses is deliberate, saying empowering women leads to thriving families, flourishing communities, and a strengthened economy.

    “Over the years, we have empowered thousands of entrepreneurs through access to finance, capacity development, and strategic partnerships, and we have seen firsthand how these investments change lives. Our focus on women-owned businesses is deliberate because we know that when women succeed, families thrive, communities flourish, and the economy is strengthened.”

    Through SARA by Wema, the bank provides financial access, business advisory, personal development tools, and wellness support for women at various stages of life and enterprise. This initiative aims to create an environment where Nigerian women can dream bigger, build stronger, and lead the economy with confidence.

    The SheCan Conference has become a prominent platform for entrepreneurship, career growth, and community, empowering over 26,000 women since its inception. The 2025 edition gathered over 15,000 women, featuring panel sessions on personal development, business scaling, and family-life balance.

    The bank’s investment in women is a long-term strategy rooted in purpose to nurture innovation, unlock potential, and build a more inclusive and prosperous society for all. As Wema Bank continues to invest in platforms like SheCan, its message remains clear: women can do more, and with the right support, they will.

  • Wema Bank emerges Nigeria’s best digital bank at Euromoney awards

    Wema Bank emerges Nigeria’s best digital bank at Euromoney awards

    Oreoluwa Oluga

    Wema Bank‘s ALAT, the first fully digital bank in Africa, has been recognised as Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025.

    Euromoney is a leading provider of competitive intelligence and benchmarking insight for the global banking and finance industry, trusted for over 50 years to deliver data-led analysis that informs strategy, validates performance, and supports decision-making at the executive level.

    ALAT has revolutionised the banking landscape in Nigeria and globally, providing seamless and convenient financial services to individuals and businesses.

    Since its launch in 2017, ALAT has evolved into a holistic hub of lifestyle and financial solutions, offering a range of services including transfers, airtime and data purchases, bill payments, and loans.

    Speaking at the award ceremony in London, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed gratitude to the Euromoney Awards for recognising the bank’s impact on digital innovation in Africa.

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    He reiterated the bank’s commitment to developing digital solutions for societal impact and shaping the future of banking.

    “The world is moving fast, and so is the permeation of ‘digital’ into the most critical aspects of our lives.

    80 years ago when Wema Bank was established, typewriters were the extent of banking technology. Today, we have pioneered a fully digital bank, and possess technology advanced enough to power over 150 FinTechs.

    “In ten years, one can only imagine what this fast-paced digital economy will bring. One thing is clear, any business, venture or institution that will remain relevant by the end of the next decade, must leverage digital technology today. This is why Wema Bank is so driven when it comes to digital. Innovation and empowerment.

    “As a Bank, our stance is clear. Wema Bank will never relent in empowering lives through innovation and developing digital solutions for societal impact. We will continue to pioneer innovation, empower innovators and bridge the gap between traditional and digital, leveraging the opportunities of the digital world to generate meaningful impact on lives and businesses in Nigeria, Africa and across the world. We have remained resilient in this commitment since 1945 and this award tells us that the world is feeling our impact.

    “We are honoured by this recognition, and I take this opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Euromoney Awards. We take this as a challenge to keep up the good work, go harder, and continue going above and beyond in shaping the future of banking through digital innovation. Here’s to 80 years of impact and a future of limitless possibilities with Wema Bank.”

    Wema Bank has been a pioneer in digital innovation, launching several industry-firsts, including ALAT, ALAT For Business App, CoopHub App, Wema Phygital, ALATPay, and the ALAT Xplore App. The bank’s commitment to digital innovation has positioned it as a leader in the Nigerian banking industry.

  • Wema Bank named Nigeria’s best digital bank at Euromoney awards 2025  

    Wema Bank named Nigeria’s best digital bank at Euromoney awards 2025  

    Wema Bank’s ALAT, the first fully digital bank in Africa, has been recognized as Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025.

    Euromoney is a leading provider of competitive intelligence and benchmarking insight for the global banking and finance industry, trusted for over 50 years to deliver data-led analysis that informs strategy, validates performance, and supports decision-making at the executive level.

    ALAT has revolutionized the banking landscape in Nigeria and globally, providing seamless and convenient financial services to individuals and businesses.

    Since its launch in 2017, ALAT has evolved into a holistic hub of lifestyle and financial solutions, offering a range of services including transfers, airtime and data purchases, bill payments, and loans.

    Speaking at the award ceremony in London, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed gratitude to the Euromoney Awards for recognizing the bank’s impact on digital innovation in Africa.

    READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello weds fourth wife in private ceremony

    He reiterated the bank’s commitment to developing digital solutions for societal impact and shaping the future of banking.

    “The world is moving fast, and so is the permeation of ‘digital’ into the most critical aspects of our lives. 80 years ago when Wema Bank was established, typewriters were the extent of banking technology. Today, we have pioneered a fully digital bank, and possess technology advanced enough to power over 150 FinTechs. 

    “In ten years, one can only imagine what this fast-paced digital economy will bring. One thing is clear, any business, venture or institution that will remain relevant by the end of the next decade, must leverage digital technology today. This is why Wema Bank is so driven when it comes to digital. Innovation and empowerment.

     “As a Bank, our stance is clear. Wema Bank will never relent in empowering lives through innovation and developing digital solutions for societal impact. We will continue to pioneer innovation, empower innovators and bridge the gap between traditional and digital, leveraging the opportunities of the digital world to generate meaningful impact on lives and businesses in Nigeria, Africa and across the world. We have remained resilient in this commitment since 1945 and this award tells us that the world is feeling our impact.

    “We are honoured by this recognition, and I take this opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Euromoney Awards. We take this as a challenge to keep up the good work, go harder, and continue going above and beyond in shaping the future of banking through digital innovation. Here’s to 80 years of impact and a future of limitless possibilities with Wema Bank.”

    Wema Bank has been a pioneer in digital innovation, launching several industry-firsts, including ALAT, ALAT For Business App, CoopHub App, Wema Phygital, ALATPay, and the ALAT Xplore App. The bank’s commitment to digital innovation has positioned it as a leader in the Nigerian banking industry.

    The Euromoney Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence in the banking and finance industry. Wema Bank’s ALAT is a testament to the bank’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

  • Wema Bank to empower women with ₦2m grant

    Wema Bank to empower women with ₦2m grant

    Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative financial institution and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment by partnering with the SheCan Conference for the fifth consecutive year.

    This year’s edition – SheCan 6.0, will hold on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, and is expected to host over 7,000 women under the theme “SheCan Do More.”

    Announcing this partnership, Wema Bank through its women-focused platform, SARA by Wema, said it will be awarding ₦2 million in business grants to support women entrepreneurs within the SARA Community.

    This grant is to support small and medium businesses within the SARA Community to scale up their business.

    Ayodele Olojede, Head, Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, said, “Wema Bank is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the financial backing, tools, training, and networks they need to scale sustainably. Year after year, we’ve seen the incredible ripple effect that access, and opportunity can create in the lives of women and their communities. Through SARA by Wema, our goal is to create an environment where Nigerian women can dream bigger, build stronger, and lead the economy with confidence. This partnership with SheCan is a statement of belief in the power of women to transform society.”

    Read Also: Wema Bank lifts MSMEs with N3m grants at fair

    “This year’s partnership represents more than sponsorship; it is a tangible investment in helping Nigerian women build sustainable businesses, scale their impact, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. Eligible applicants must be women-led businesses with active Wema Bank accounts and must be registered members of the SARA Community. Interested participants are required to submit a written pitch of no more than two pages, detailing their business and founder story, the problem being solved, target audience and competitive advantage, proposed use of the grant, and the expected outcomes and community impact. Entries must also include the applicant’s Wema Bank account number, full name, and the email address used to join the SARA Community. Submissions should be emailed to sarabywema@wemabank.com with the subject line: SARA SHECAN Grant Pitch – [Your Business Name] between July 8 and July 11, 2025,” she concluded.

    SARA by Wema is Wema Bank’s dedicated proposition for women, designed to provide financial access, business advisory, personal development tools, and wellness support for women at various stages of life and enterprise. Since the inception of the SheCan Conference, Wema Bank has played a pivotal role in driving the platform’s mission to empower women with the skills, knowledge, and access they need to thrive. Beyond the main conference events, Wema Bank has consistently supported SheCan’s broader efforts through mentorship programs, vocational training, and charity fairs, impacting thousands of women nationwide.

    With over 26,000 women empowered since inception, SheCan has grown into one of Nigeria’s most influential platforms for personal development, entrepreneurship, and community building. This year’s edition will feature three core panels addressing business and career growth, personal discovery, and family-life balance; further affirming the multidimensional strength of the modern Nigerian woman.

    Through its continued partnership with SheCan and its dynamic SARA by Wema Community, Wema Bank remains committed to building a future where more women have the resources and confidence to lead, innovate, and transform their world.

  • Wema Bank gives womenpreneurs with N2m

    Wema Bank gives womenpreneurs with N2m

    Wema Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s empowerment by announcing a N2 million business grant through its women-focused platform, SARA by Wema, in partnership with the SheCan Conference.

    The announcement comes ahead of SheCan 6.0, scheduled to hold on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, where over 7,000 women are expected to gather under the theme “SheCan Do More.”

    The grant will support women-led small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) within the SARA Community, helping them scale their businesses and increase impact.

    Read Also: Wema Bank doles out N3m to top MSMEs at Lagos fair

    Beyond financial support, SARA by Wema also offers beneficiaries business advisory services, personal development tools, and access to relevant networks.

    Ayodele Olojede, Head of Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, emphasized the significance of the initiative.

    She said: “Wema Bank is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the financial backing, tools, training, and networks they need to scale sustainably. This partnership with SheCan is a statement of belief in the power of women to transform society.”

    She further noted that the initiative represents a tangible investment in helping Nigerian women build sustainable businesses and drive economic growth.

  • Wema Bank to empower women with ₦2m grant

    Wema Bank to empower women with ₦2m grant

    Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative financial institution and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment by partnering with the SheCan Conference for the fifth consecutive year.

    This year’s edition – SheCan 6.0, will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, and is expected to host over 7,000 women under the theme “SheCan Do More.”

    Announcing this partnership, Wema Bank, through its women-focused platform, SARA by Wema, said it will be awarding ₦2 million in business grants to support women entrepreneurs within the SARA Community.

    This grant is to support small and medium-sized businesses within the SARA Community to scale up their business.

    Ayodele Olojede, Head, Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, said, “Wema Bank is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the financial backing, tools, training, and networks they need to scale sustainably. Year after year, we’ve seen the incredible ripple effect that access and opportunity can create in the lives of women and their communities.

    Through SARA by Wema, our goal is to create an environment where Nigerian women can dream bigger, build stronger, and lead the economy with confidence. This partnership with SheCan is a statement of belief in the power of women to transform society.”

    “This year’s partnership represents more than sponsorship; it is a tangible investment in helping Nigerian women build sustainable businesses, scale their impact, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. Eligible applicants must be women-led businesses with active Wema Bank accounts and must be registered members of the SARA Community.

    Read Also: Wema Bank lifts MSMEs with N3m grants at fair

    Interested participants are required to submit a written pitch of no more than two pages, detailing their business and founder story, the problem being solved, target audience and competitive advantage, proposed use of the grant, and the expected outcomes and community impact. Entries must also include the applicant’s Wema Bank account number, full name, and the email address used to join the SARA Community. Submissions should be emailed to sarabywema@wemabank.com with the subject line: SARA SHECAN Grant Pitch – [Your Business Name] between July 8 and July 11, 2025,” she concluded.

    SARA by Wema is Wema Bank’s dedicated proposition for women, designed to provide financial access, business advisory, personal development tools, and wellness support for women at various stages of life and enterprise.

    Since the inception of the SheCan Conference, Wema Bank has played a pivotal role in driving the platform’s mission to empower women with the skills, knowledge, and access they need to thrive.

    Beyond the main conference events, Wema Bank has consistently supported SheCan’s broader efforts through mentorship programs, vocational training, and charity fairs, impacting thousands of women nationwide.

    With over 26,000 women empowered since inception, SheCan has grown into one of Nigeria’s most influential platforms for personal development, entrepreneurship, and community building.

    This year’s edition will feature three core panels addressing business and career growth, personal discovery, and family-life balance, further affirming the multidimensional strength of the modern Nigerian woman.

    Through its continued partnership with SheCan and its dynamic SARA by Wema Community, Wema Bank remains committed to building a future where more women have the resources and confidence to lead, innovate, and transform their world.

  • Wema Bank lifts MSMEs with N3m grants at fair

    Wema Bank lifts MSMEs with N3m grants at fair

    Wema Bank has given N3 million in business grants to three top businesses at the Lagos Leather Fair 2025, a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    The beneficiaries — EwaOluwa Morenikeji of House of Ewa Limited, Joy Fache James of Paciencia, and Fatima Yusuf of House of Zibima — each got N1 million following their performances at a pitch competition sponsored by Wema Bank at the fair.

    The initiative, which coincided with World MSME Day, is part of the bank’s broader strategy to empower indigenous businesses, boost economic inclusion, and foster sustainable business practice in Nigeria’s MSME sector.

    EwaOluwa Morenikeji, founder and chief executive of House of Ewa, a bag-making brand, said the grant would be channelled on advanced machinery and improving production output.

    “I’m grateful for this opportunity to put my business out there and get the support I need to scale. This will help my business grow, and I thank Wema Bank for thinking of small businesses like mine and supporting us,” she said.

    Wema Bank’s Managing Director and chief executive officer, Moruf Oseni, noted the bank’s long commitment to empowering businesses and driving inclusive economic growth.

    Read Also: Agusto & Co upgrades Wema Bank’s rating, reaffirms stable outlook

    “MSMEs present a two-fold opportunity for us at Wema Bank. Empowering MSMEs not only stimulates the Nigerian economy, but it also extends the reach of our impact to the grassroots.

    “For 80 years, we have been committed to empowering lives and businesses. We will continue to meet the needs of MSMEs and create tailored opportunities for them to thrive,” Oseni said.

    The fair, considered the premier leather industry event in West Africa, drew local and international stakeholders across the value chain — including designers, manufacturers, and suppliers.

    Wema returned for the second consecutive year as a major sponsor, reinforcing its role in driving innovation and excellence.

  • Wema Bank doles out N3m to top MSMEs at Lagos fair

    Wema Bank doles out N3m to top MSMEs at Lagos fair


    Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has disbursed business grants totalling N3,000,000, to the top three Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) who emerged winners in a business pitch competition at the Lagos Leather Fair 2025, sponsored by Wema Bank in Lagos, at the just concluded fair.

    The top three winners of the business grants include EwaOluwa Morenikeji of House of Ewa Limited, Joy Fache James of Paciencia, and Fatima Yusuf of House of Zibima; all of whom won N1,000,000 each, courtesy of Wema Bank.

    This thoughtful gesture capped off Wema Bank’s celebration of World MSME Day, reinforcing the Bank’s position as the financial institution that is committed to supporting Nigerian MSMEs and empowering them with the resources, tools and support they need to thrive, scale and remain sustainably profitable.

    Receiving the grants, the businesses expressed profound gratitude to Wema Bank for their unwavering support and intentional approach to accelerating Nigerian businesses towards success.

    Receiving her cheque, one of the winners, EwaOluwa Morenikeji, Founder and CEO of a modern bag making brand, House of Ewa Limited, shared some insight into the specific aspects of her business where she would be channeling the N1,000,000 grant to, appreciating Wema Bank for supporting the growth of her business.

    According to her: “I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to put my business out there and get the support I need to scale. This is definitely going to impact my business. I intend to use this money to expand my business, get better machinery and ensure that our output continues to get better and better. This will help my business growth and I thank Wema Bank for thinking of small businesses like mine and supporting us.”

    Read Also: World MSME Day: Wema Bank to disburse N2.5m grants to top three SMEs

    Underscoring the need for concerted efforts in accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s MSME sector, Moruf Oseni, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, firmly reiterated the Bank’s commitment to championing accelerated growth in Nigeria’s MSME sector towards improving the nation’s macroeconomic conditions.

    According to him: “MSMEs present a two-fold opportunity for us at Wema Bank. With MSMEs constituting the bulk of the economy, empowering MSMEs not only translates to stimulating Nigeria’s economy, but even more importantly, it means extending the reach of our impact to the grassroots and providing support for the people to thrive both personally and professionally. For 80 years, we have remained committed on this lifelong mission of empowering lives and businesses, and relenting will never be an option for us. We will continue to meet MSMEs at their points of need, create tailored opportunities for them to thrive and remain innovative in shaping the future of Africa’s MSME sector, journeying with businesses, all the way.”

    The Lagos Leather Fair, regarded as the biggest leather fair in West Africa, is an annual showcase of Africa’s Leather Industry.

    Convening leather enthusiasts, manufacturers, suppliers, designers and other key players in the leather space from across the globe, the Lagos Leather Fair celebrates African culture, creativity and craftsmanship, expressed in style.

    Resolute in its commitment to empowering businesses and supporting MSMEs, Wema Bank sponsored the Lagos Leather Fair for the second time in a row, contributing to the exceptional quality of the event through its exclusive banking proposition for the top 1%, Prestige by Wema, and going a step further to provide financial support in form of grants to promising indigenous businesses at the fair.

    Wema Bank, an indigenous business itself, was established in 1945 with the goal of providing financial services for indigenous Nigerians and empowering lives and businesses.

    80 years later, Wema Bank has earned itself the title of Nigeria’s SME Bank, disbursing over N300 billion in business loans and grants, empowering 800,000 SMEs, creating best-in-class SME toolkits for local and international payments, and facilitating market access to over 250,000 real buyers in 14 states across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, in West Africa, as well as international markets; all within the last five years.