Keystone Bank Limited’s outstanding contributions to the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector were once again recognised over the weekend, as the bank emerged as the Most Friendly SME Bank of the Year 2024 at the Champion Newspapers Annual Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
According to the organisers, the award recognises Keystone Bank’s leadership in expanding access to funding and providing strategic support to Nigeria’s SME sector.
The award was presented to Nnenna Anyim-Okoro, executive director, South and Corporate Bank, Keystone Bank, by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
While presenting the award, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa commended Keystone Bank for its unwavering support and enduring commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.
“The reward for hard work is more work. This award is a testament to the remarkable efforts Keystone Bank has made in empowering Nigeria’s small and medium-sized businesses. It shows that there is more work to be done, but this recognition affirms that the bank is on the right path,” she said.
She further commended the bank’s leadership and staff for their sustained dedication to building a resilient and inclusive economic framework through SME development.
While accepting the award on behalf of the bank, Nnenna Anyim-Okoro expressed heartfelt gratitude to Champion Newspapers for the honor and reaffirmed the bank’s long-standing commitment to the SME sector.
According to her “We are truly honored to receive this award, which reinforces our mission to be a dependable partner in the growth journey of SMEs across Nigeria.
“At Keystone Bank, we understand that SMEs are not just a sector, they are the engine room of national development and a key driver of employment, innovation, and grassroots empowerment.
“This recognition is a reflection of the strategic investments we’ve made in creating bespoke financial products, enabling access to finance through digitised loan platforms, and delivering sector-specific capacity-building initiatives tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs.”
We have rolled out several impactful programs targeted at unlocking the potential of SMEs in diverse industries. From retail and agriculture to tech and manufacturing, our goal is to support value creation, scalability, and resilience.
“We remain deeply committed to doing more because we recognize just how vital this sector is to the future of our nation.” she added.
Also present at the ceremony were top bank executives, including Emmanuel Ntomchukwu, Directorate Head, Lagos Mainland; Chinyelu Ogufere, Group Head – Industrials & Emerging Sectors; and Tina Ebuehi, Department Head – Retail Products & Value Chain Management.
Keystone Bank has continued to stand out as an SME-centric financial institution, offering a wide array of customised solutions, innovative tools, and strategic alliances aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape.
The Champion Newspapers Annual Awards celebrates individuals and organizations that have made remarkable contributions to national development and economic progress.
