Yemisi Izuora
Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, partnered with the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) for its MSME Day celebration in Katsina, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to supporting the growth and long-term success of micro, small and medium enterprises across Nigeria.
The event, organised by KASEDA as part of activities marking International MSME Day, brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, policymakers, development partners, and key stakeholders in the enterprise ecosystem to recognise the vital contribution of MSMEs to economic development, job creation, poverty reduction, innovation, and sustainable growth.
The celebration provided a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, engage with relevant stakeholders, and gain insights into opportunities for business expansion, access to finance, market access, digital transformation, and capacity development. It also reinforced the importance of collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and financial institutions in creating an enabling environment for enterprise growth.
Speaking on the partnership, Remy Osuagwu, Executive Director, Business and Commercial Banking, said Stanbic IBTC’s involvement reflects the organisation’s belief that MSMEs remain central to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we recognise that MSMEs are not just small businesses; they are engines of employment, innovation, community development, and economic resilience. Our partnership with KASEDA for the MSME Day celebration in Katsina underscores our commitment to being a trusted partner to entrepreneurs, providing relevant financial solutions, advisory support, digital tools, and access to opportunities that help businesses grow sustainably.”
The partnership aligns with Stanbic IBTC Bank’s broader SME value proposition, which is designed to support entrepreneurs and growing businesses with tailored banking solutions, access to finance, digital banking platforms, trade support, and business advisory services.
According to Dr Babangida Ruma, Director General KASEDA, Stanbic IBTC’s partnership further strengthens KASEDA’s objective of promoting enterprise development and building a more vibrant MSME ecosystem in Katsina State.
“We are pleased to partner with Stanbic IBTC on this important celebration of enterprise and entrepreneurship. Collaborations like this are critical to expanding opportunities for MSMEs, improving access to finance and markets, and helping small businesses become more competitive.”
Stanbic IBTC noted that the collaboration with KASEDA forms part of its continued drive to deepen engagement with entrepreneurs across Nigeria and deliver practical solutions that respond to the realities of small and medium-sized businesses.
“We understand that SMEs need more than banking solutions. They need partners who understand their journey, their ambitions, and their challenges. Through partnerships like this, Stanbic IBTC demonstrates its role as an SME-focused bank committed to helping Nigerian businesses move from possibility to progress,” Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank added.
Stanbic IBTC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting MSMEs through innovative banking products, strategic partnerships, financial literacy, enterprise development initiatives, and access to solutions that enable businesses to thrive in today’s competitive environment. The financial solutions provider continues to offer practical support that help businesses manage operations efficiently, unlock growth opportunities, and build resilience in a dynamic economic environment.