Keystone Bank Reaffirms Support For MSMEs In Nigeria

By Vivian Okejeme

Keystone Bank Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs), positioning itself as a trusted partner beyond traditional banking and financing.

This commitment was reiterated by the bank’s management during a keynote address delivered by Dr. Eucharia Ken-Agbiriogu, Directorate Head, South, Keystone Bank, at the 66th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), held recently in Port Harcourt.

The forum, themed “The Gulf of Guinea and the Blue Economy – Pathways to Trade, Investment and Security Towards a $1 Trillion Economy,” brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, business leaders, development partners and private sector stakeholders.

Ken-Agbiriogu reaffirmed the bank’s long-standing partnership with NACCIMA and its unwavering commitment to empowering Nigerian businesses, particularly MSMEs, which remain the backbone of the nation’s economy.

She noted that Keystone Bank’s support for MSMEs extends beyond traditional banking through tailored SME solutions such as GrowBeta for emerging entrepreneurs, GrowBiz for growing businesses, and Eco-Cycle, a dedicated proposition for businesses operating within the green and sustainability ecosystem.

“The bank also provides flexible financing solutions, including working capital, asset acquisition, and business expansion facilities, to help enterprises scale sustainably.

“As a bank, we want to help Nigerian enterprises grow, become more competitive and create sustainable value in their communities and the wider economy. We want to be more than a provider of funds; we want to be your trusted partner in growth.

“Access to finance must be complemented by knowledge and capacity development. That is why we have continued to invest in business clinics, financial literacy programmes, and entrepreneurship initiatives.

“Through our ongoing digital transformation investments, we have continued to provide businesses with secure, seamless, and innovative banking solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support sustainable growth.

“Our strategic collaborations with organisations such as NACCIMA, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the National Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), and the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA) demonstrate the bank’s belief that sustainable economic development is best achieved through collaboration among financial institutions, business associations, development agencies, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.

“As a bank, we will continue to provide innovative financial solutions, digital innovation, advisory services, and strategic partnerships that empower businesses. We remain open for business and ready to partner with entrepreneurs in building stronger enterprises, industries, and a more prosperous Nigeria,” she noted.

Dr. Ken-Agbiriogu further stressed the importance of leveraging opportunities within the Gulf of Guinea and the Blue Economy to unlock investment, strengthen trade competitiveness, and contribute to Nigeria’s aspiration of building a resilient $1 trillion economy.