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Stanbic IBTC Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women in business through its Bloom Weekend initiative, an empowerment platform focused on leadership, financial independence, and entrepreneurial success for women.
Speaking at the event, Olajumoke Bello, head of enterprise banking, emphasised the significance of creating dedicated opportunities for women, noting that although the bank has consistently supported entrepreneurs, this programme was specifically tailored to women. “This demonstrates Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to empowering, growing, and supporting women and their businesses throughout the different stages of their careers and life journeys,” she said. Bello expressed appreciation to participants who showed strong interest in the event, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship in driving economic development and transformative change. She noted that small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) constitute over 80 to 90 percent of the country’s businesses and are pivotal to Nigeria’s GDP.
She stressed that women, by their roles in families, communities, and the economy, have an even greater impact and often carry immense responsibilities. “Sometimes the work women do is overlooked, but when you find an institution that chooses not to ignore this effort and instead builds platforms to showcase and support women, that is truly commendable,” she added.
Participants at the Bloom Weekend were given access to a renowned business consultant with over two decades of experience in training SMEs. The programme featured modules on business development, financial management, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business model development. These sessions were curated in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Center of the Pan-Atlantic University to provide practical tools for scaling businesses.
The event also fostered networking opportunities among entrepreneurs, encouraging the formation of relationships and collaborations that extend beyond the duration of the weekend. Bello highlighted the importance of these connections, noting that a digital microsite had been developed to keep the conversations going and to provide a platform for ongoing engagement and learning.
“We encourage everyone to fully participate, ask questions, share experiences. This summit is about more than just learning; it’s about building a community of like-minded individuals who can support and inspire each other. Your presence here shows your dedication to growth, which is exactly what our country needs,” she said.
In her remarks, Modupe Oluwafemi-Williams, team lead for Digital and Enablement at Stanbic IBTC, reinforced the vital role SMEs play in Nigeria’s economy. According to her, SMEs account for 96 percent of all businesses and contribute 46 percent to the nation’s GDP. “We are not just onboarding small businesses. We are standing behind them as partners for sustainable growth,” she stated.
She explained that Stanbic IBTC’s Enterprise Banking segment was designed to meet the specific needs of SMEs, offering expert advisory services, flexible loan options, digital tools, and nationwide coverage. Among its flagship products are the Blue Blossom and BeSmart accounts. Blue Blossom is tailored for women in business and comes with benefits such as zero account maintenance fees, concessionary loan rates, and access to exclusive events. BeSmart is available to all entrepreneurs and offers cost-saving advantages through discounted account services.
Stanbic IBTC has also expanded its loan offerings with easily accessible digital loans through the VITA App and SME Lite, a short-term loan option for microbusinesses and traders that requires minimal documentation.
To improve efficiency and ease of doing business, the bank provides digital platforms such as the Enterprise Online Platform and SME Mobile App. These tools allow business owners to handle transactions, manage payroll, and oversee finances seamlessly. Additional features include real-time point-of-sale settlements and barcode-enabled payment solutions.
Oluwafemi-Williams described Stanbic IBTC as a “global financial services partner” committed to supporting the dreams and resilience of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. She concluded by reaffirming the bank’s promise not just to comply with regulations but to stand beside entrepreneurs as they build their businesses and shape the country’s economic future.
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