Stanbic IBTC Bank has announced a renewed commitment to strengthening women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, underscoring their central role in driving innovation, creating jobs, and sustaining resilient businesses.
Citing research from Mastercard’s Empowerment for All report, which found that 83 percent of Nigerian women identify as entrepreneurs, far exceeding the 51 percent regional average across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the bank said this entrepreneurial energy needs targeted support to thrive.
As part of its renewed strategy, Stanbic IBTC is expanding the Blue Blossom Account, a tailored product designed to help women-led MSMEs overcome financing barriers. The account provides zero current-account maintenance fees, concessionary loan rates, and access to business clinic sessions, aligning with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Sustainable Banking Principles.
Women entrepreneurs also gain access to lending solutions such as SME Lite and SME EZ Cash, which offer flexible financing for working capital, business expansion, or new investments. Beyond finance, the bank’s SME Collab value proposition continues to deliver training, curated events, and platforms for peer-to-peer networking.
A highlight of this renewed focus is Bloom Weekend, Stanbic IBTC’s flagship empowerment initiative. The 2025 edition, themed “Bloom Beyond Limits,” gathered thousands of women MSME owners, professionals, and leaders for masterclasses, financial advisory, trade fairs, and networking sessions.
The lender is also renewing its support for MSMEs through digital solutions such as Enterprise Online, the SME Mobile App, and POS terminals, enabling women entrepreneurs to streamline operations and manage cash flow more effectively.
By renewing this commitment, Stanbic IBTC Bank stresses that supporting women-led MSMEs is more than corporate responsibility it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future economy. As the bank noted: “Supporting women is not just the right thing to do; it’s a smart investment in Nigeria’s future.”
