Wema Bank, a leading Nigerian bank and the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has once again demonstrated its leadership in the banking sector by receiving two prestigious awards at the Global SME Finance Forum Conference Awards 2024. The awards, which took place in São Paulo, Brazil, from September 16 to 18, 2024, recognized Wema Bank as the “SME Financier of the Year (Africa)” and honored the bank with the “Platinum Award for Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs (Africa)”.
The Global SME Finance Forum, renowned as a platform for advancing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing globally, celebrated Wema Bank’s exceptional role in supporting the SME sector. The awards acknowledge institutions that create innovative financial solutions for SMEs, and Wema Bank stood out for its impactful products and services tailored to businesses of all sizes in Nigeria, particularly women-owned businesses.
Wema Bank, known as a top choice for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), was praised for its comprehensive range of services that include affordable financing, seamless payment solutions, SME advisory services, and access to digital tools that enhance business efficiency. The bank’s women-focused initiative, “SARA by Wema”, was also spotlighted for its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, offering financial resources, healthcare benefits, and other essential tools to help women-led businesses scale and thrive.
Speaking on the awards, Moruf Oseni, Managing Director and CEO of Wema Bank, emphasized the importance of MSMEs in driving Nigeria’s economic growth. “MSMEs make up the bulk of Nigeria’s economy and are crucial to addressing unemployment and promoting innovation. At Wema Bank, we understand the challenges they face, and we are dedicated to providing accessible, reliable, and effective solutions tailored to their needs, especially women-owned businesses. Our mission is to empower lives through innovation, and we will continue to pursue more effective ways to support businesses for sustainable growth,” Oseni stated.
He also expressed gratitude for the recognition from the Global SME Finance Forum, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to supporting SMEs. “These awards fuel our drive to go beyond expectations in delivering value to SMEs, especially in a challenging economic environment. We are honored to be recognized as Africa’s top financier for SMEs and women entrepreneurs, and we remain committed to empowering businesses to thrive.”
Wema Bank continues to set new benchmarks in Nigeria’s banking and financial services sector, ensuring businesses have access to the resources and solutions they need to succeed. Businesses interested in exploring Wema Bank’s tailored finance options can visit the bank’s website or contact their SME helpdesk for more information.