Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative financial institution and the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 with a grand celebration on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at its Head Office Facility in Lagos.
The event brought together iconic women from diverse industries to discuss the theme “Harnessing Innovation & Technology to Accelerate Financial Inclusion for Women,” aligning with the global IWD 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action.” The discussions emphasized innovative approaches to financial inclusion and long-term sustainability for women’s empowerment.
Among the standout moments of the event were the Big Sister Programme Graduation Ceremony, where the Women Network’s Cohort 2 graduates celebrated their successful completion of the mentorship and empowerment program. The HeForShe 2025 Awards recognized outstanding male employees who have championed women’s empowerment, encouraging more men to take pro-women initiatives.
A panel discussion moderated by media personality Olive Emodi featured Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan-Atlantic University, Solape Akinpelu, CEO of Harvest, and Tochi Ginigeme, Lead Deal Matchmaking at Impact Investors Foundation. The panelists provided deep insights into overcoming roadblocks and leveraging innovation for women’s empowerment. Special performances in music and poetry added a vibrant touch to the celebration.
Speaking at the event, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwayemisi Olorunshola, Chairman of Wema Bank, emphasized the bank’s dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 – Gender Equality. She stated that as the first female chairman of Wema Bank, her career is a testament to the impact that can be generated when individuals and corporations take decisive steps to accelerate action for women empowerment. She stressed the need for collective efforts in achieving gender equality, where women thrive without discrimination or oppression.
Mr. Moruf Oseni (FCIB), MD/CEO of Wema Bank, highlighted the institution’s long-standing mission of empowering women. He stated that since its inception in 1945, Wema Bank has prioritized empowerment and recognizes the global gender gap and the need for a tailored approach to bridge this divide. He explained that this commitment led to the launch of SARA by Wema in 2019, reinforcing the bank’s intentional efforts.
Since the launch of SARA by Wema, the bank has banked over 400,000 unbanked women, disbursed over ₦75 billion in low-interest loans and $20,000 in grants, created over 900 jobs for women, provided market access for 3,000 women, connected them with over 135,000 customers, and generated over $4 million in sales.
Mr. Oseni emphasized that accelerating action for Wema Bank goes beyond lip service and that the bank remains committed to walking the talk when it comes to women’s empowerment. As Wema Bank approaches its 80th anniversary on May 2, 2025, he reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to building a future where equity, inclusion, and empowerment are not just ideals but realities.
Wema Bank continues to stand as a champion of gender inclusion and equality, consistently taking bold steps to uplift women in Nigeria and beyond. As the bank nears its 80-year milestone, it remains a trailblazer in the African banking industry, driving innovation, impact, and empowerment well beyond 2025.