Wema Bank has bagged two awards of excellence, namely Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Financier of the Year (Africa) and Platinum Award for Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs (Africa).
The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Moruf Oseni, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Oseni said the awards were received at the Global SME Finance Forum Conference Awards 2024, which held in São Paulo, in Brazil recently.
He stated that the Global SME finance forum is the world’s leading, technically oriented and geographically diverse platform focused solely on scaling SME financing worldwide.
According to him, Wema Bank emerged Africa’s top financier not just for the general SME landscape, but also particularly for women-owned SMEs, at the annual conference.
The Managing Director stated that the bank received the recognition for its commendable track record of developing an innovative, sustainable reputation as the bank of choice for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He noted that the bank was also recognised for its significantly impactful products, services, solutions and opportunities for businesses of all sizes across Nigeria.
“It is beyond doubt that Wema Bank is indeed deserving of its recognition as Africa’s top financier for SMEs and particularly, women entrepreneurs.
“The bank’s impact ranges from affordable financing options and seamless payment collection solutions to access to market, digital solutions for efficient business operation and management.
“Also, SME advisory services and a vast range of products tailored to the needs of businesses across every part of Nigeria,” Oseni said.
According to him, through its women-focused proposition, SARA by Wema, the bank continues to tailor its SME offerings specifically for women.
Oseni said the bank also helped women to build sustainable businesses and access the resources needed to scale and thrive, as well as support their overall growth and well-being with affordable free healthcare packages.
“We are honoured by the global recognition accorded to us by the Global SME Finance Forum.
“As we receive these awards, we reiterate our commitment to providing businesses with the resources they need and making business management and operation seamless, maximally profitable and efficient.
“Wema Bank appreciates Global SME Finance Forum for the acknowledgement, and also our valued customers who continue to entrust the future of their businesses and their financial well-being in our hands,” he said.
According to the managing director, this prestigious recognition honours the bank’s unwavering commitment to empowering SMEs and fostering innovation in SME finance.
Oseni said the award further fueled the bank’s drive to consistently go above and beyond in accelerating growth for SMEs and delivering optimum value to every stakeholder.