Wema Bank, a leading innovative financial institution in Nigeria and the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, was awarded two prestigious accolades at the 2024 Global SME Finance Forum Conference Awards. The event, held in São Paulo, Brazil, from September 16-18, 2024, recognized the bank’s outstanding contributions to SME financing in Africa.
Wema Bank received the SME Financier of the Year (Africa) and the Platinum Award for Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs (Africa), highlighting its commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the continent. The Global SME Finance Forum, known for its focus on scaling SME financing worldwide, organized the event to celebrate financial institutions that develop innovative and impactful solutions for SMEs.
Wema Bank’s recognition is a testament to its ongoing efforts to provide affordable financing options, seamless payment collection systems, and digital solutions that help businesses operate efficiently. The bank offers a range of SME advisory services and tailored products that cater to the needs of businesses throughout Nigeria. These offerings have solidified its reputation as the “Bank of Choice” for MSMEs in the region.
In addition to its general SME support, Wema Bank has been a strong advocate for women entrepreneurs through its SARA by Wema initiative, which is designed to provide specialized resources for women-owned businesses. This initiative includes financial solutions, access to healthcare packages, and support to help women build and scale sustainable enterprises.
Wema Bank’s achievements at the Global SME Finance Forum underscore its role as a leader in promoting financial inclusion and supporting the growth of SMEs, especially women-owned businesses, across Africa.
