L-R: Abimbola Alabi,Head, Learning Academy, Human Capital Management, Keystone Bank; Tamilore Tayo-Oyetibo, Team Member, Alternative Banking, Retail & Digital Banking Group, Keystone Bank; Martins Ofiegbe, Unit Head, SME Banking, Retail & Digital Banking, Keystone Bank; Agharese Onaghaise, Executive Director, FBRA and Akinwunmi Karunwi, Department Head, Regulatory Reporting & Tax Management, Keystone Bank, at the Keystone-FBRA Green SME Master Class, where 100 Green SMEs were equipped with practical skills to transform waste materials into commercially viable products, organised by Keystone Bank and FBRA in Lagos, recently.
By Vivian Okejeme
Keystone Bank Limited has partnered with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) to equip 100 green small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with practical skills to transform waste into commercially viable products.
The initiative, tagged “Keystone-FBRA Green SME Master Class,” is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of participating entrepreneurs to build sustainable and profitable businesses within Nigeria’s circular economy.
In a statement on Monday, Keystone Bank said participants received hands-on training in the upcycling of rubber and food and beverage packaging materials.
The programme also featured sessions on business management, financial preparedness, taxation, access to finance and strategies for sustainable business growth.
According to the bank, the initiative forms part of its commitment to expanding participation in the green economy and supporting sustainable enterprise development across Nigeria.
Keystone Bank said its Eco Cycle Product complements its green finance strategy by providing businesses operating within the circular economy with tailored financial solutions to support growth and environmental sustainability.
“The Master Class aligns with our Waste-to-Wealth sustainability approach, which seeks to empower entrepreneurs to transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities while fostering innovation, job creation and sustainable business practices,” the bank said.
Participants were also introduced to financing options including the Eco Cycle Product, MSME Time Loan, MSME Asset Finance and Sustainable Energy Finance.
Speaking during the programme, the Unit Head, SME Banking, Retail and Digital Banking at Keystone Bank, Martins Ofiegbe, provided participants with insights into financial discipline, revenue growth, business documentation and positioning enterprises for funding.
Ofiegbe facilitated sessions on “Financial Discipline and Revenue Growth Strategies” and “Preparing Business Documentation and Positioning Businesses for Funding.”
Also speaking, the Department Head, Regulatory Reporting and Tax Management at Keystone Bank, Akinwunmi Karunwi, discussed the implications of the new tax regime for SMEs, including key compliance requirements.
Other stakeholders involved in the initiative included the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Zannytecture Recycling Company Limited.
The programme is expected to strengthen the capacity of green entrepreneurs to convert waste into valuable products, improve access to finance and contribute to job creation and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
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