Stanbic IBTC has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the growth of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria through
strategic partnerships with state governments and institutions committed
to creating enabling environments for businesses to thrive.
The company made this commitment during its Nigeria Business Summit
Regional Tour held in Aba, in partnership with the Abia State
Government, to deliver business enlightenment sessions, funding
masterclasses, enterprise advisory services and capacity-building
programmes for entrepreneurs. The regional tour kicked off at the
appropriate time, following the 2026 World MSME Day commemoration in
late June.
The event saw a convergence of government officials, business leaders,
development partners, financial institutions and entrepreneurs to
explore practical strategies for unlocking sustainable growth
opportunities for MSMEs, while strengthening collaboration between the
public and private sectors.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Industry and
SMEs, Mazi Michael Enyinnaya Akpara, reiterated Abia State Government’s
commitment to building one of Nigeria’s most competitive enterprise
ecosystems through deliberate policy reforms and strategic initiatives.
According to him, the State is currently developing a comprehensive MSME
Policy to provide a clear framework for enterprise development, while
also establishing a statewide MSME Directory to improve business
visibility and access to investment opportunities. He further announced
plans for the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project
(Abia Expo 2026), an initiative designed to showcase the ingenuity of
Nigerian businesses, strengthen locally manufactured products and
position Abia as Nigeria’s preferred destination for quality local
production.
“Abia State is intentionally building an ecosystem where businesses
can start, grow, compete and access markets both locally and
internationally. Through the development of the State MSME Policy, the
MSME Directory and the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria
Project, we are laying the foundation for sustainable enterprise growth.
Partnerships with organisations like Stanbic IBTC are critical to
achieving this vision because government cannot build a thriving MSME
ecosystem alone,” he said.
Commenting on Stanbic IBTC’s broader role in supporting Nigerian
businesses, Chuma Nwokocha, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings,
said: “Businesses do not scale in isolation. They scale when they have
access to capital; to intelligence; and to the platforms that connect
them to wider markets.”
Chuma further added: “We will accelerate MSME graduation through value
chain finance, structured lending, and the credit and advisory
capability that turns promising businesses into durable ones. And we
will invest in the sectors that will define Nigeria’s next decade.”
Also speaking, Executive Director, Business and Commercial Banking,
Stanbic IBTC Bank, Remy Osuagwu, noted that the company is taking a more
deliberate, nationwide approach to supporting entrepreneurs by bringing
practical business support closer to where businesses operate.
“Our ambition is to become the partner of choice for Nigerian
businesses wherever they operate. We are taking our support beyond
traditional banking by delivering business education, advisory services,
capacity-building programmes and access to financing directly to
entrepreneurs across the country. Following Aba, we will continue this
journey across key commercial centres including Kano, Ibadan and
Onitsha, working alongside governments and enterprise support
organisations to help businesses unlock sustainable growth,” he said.
The goodwill message from Stanbic IBTC, delivered by Olajumoke Bello,
Head, Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, reinforced Aba’s
importance as one of Nigeria’s leading centres for manufacturing,
trade, and entrepreneurship. The company noted that the city’s vibrant
business community makes it a strategic location for its MSME
development agenda, adding that its partnership with Abia State
Government reflects its confidence in the potential of businesses across
the state.
Stanbic IBTC further stated that its commitment extends beyond the
summit, with continued support for entrepreneurs through knowledge,
tools, partnerships, and financial solutions designed to help them scale
and compete successfully.
The company noted that its engagement in Abia forms part of a broader
national strategy to strengthen MSME ecosystems across Nigeria through
partnerships with governments and organisations committed to enterprise
development. Building on the momentum from Aba, Stanbic IBTC will
continue its regional MSME engagement programme across other major
commercial and industrial centres, including Kano, Ibadan and Onitsha,
with plans to extend similar initiatives to additional regions across
the country.
Through these engagements, entrepreneurs will have access to practical
business training, capacity-building programmes, advisory services,
networking opportunities and financing solutions designed to help them
build resilient and competitive businesses.
Businesses interested in learning more about Stanbic IBTC’s SME
solutions, upcoming capacity-building programmes and regional
engagements can visit Stanbic IBTC’s website via www.stanbicibtc.com [1]
and follow @stanbicibtc across its social media platforms for updates on
future events and opportunities.
