The bank restated this commitment during its Nigeria Business Summit Regional Tour held in Aba, where it collaborated with the Abia State Government to provide entrepreneurs with business development opportunities, funding guidance and enterprise support services.
The regional summit featured a range of programmes designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical tools for growth. Participants benefited from business enlightenment sessions, funding masterclasses, enterprise advisory services and capacity-building initiatives aimed at helping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) improve competitiveness and expand their operations. The initiative forms part of Stanbic IBTC’s broader strategy to make business support more accessible to entrepreneurs across different parts of Nigeria.
Speaking during the event, Abia State Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Michael Enyinnaya Akpara, said the state government is implementing policies to build one of Nigeria’s most competitive environments for businesses.
He disclosed that the government is developing a comprehensive MSME Policy to provide a structured framework for enterprise development. According to him, work is also underway on a statewide MSME Directory that will improve business visibility and create better access to investment opportunities.
Akpara further announced plans for the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project (Abia Expo 2026), an initiative aimed at promoting locally manufactured products while positioning Abia as a leading destination for indigenous production. He noted that partnerships between government and private institutions remain essential to achieving sustainable enterprise growth.
Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Chuma Nwokocha, said businesses achieve sustainable growth when they have access to financing, market intelligence and opportunities to reach wider markets.
He explained that the financial institution plans to accelerate the growth of MSMEs through value chain financing, structured lending and advisory services that help promising businesses develop into stronger enterprises. Nwokocha added that Stanbic IBTC intends to continue investing in sectors expected to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation over the coming years.
Also speaking, Executive Director for Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Remy Osuagwu, said the organisation is adopting a more deliberate nationwide strategy to deliver practical business support where entrepreneurs operate.
According to him, bringing advisory services, financing opportunities and business development programmes directly to local communities will help more enterprises overcome growth challenges and unlock new opportunities. The collaboration between Stanbic IBTC and the Abia State Government reflects growing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s MSME sector through public-private partnerships focused on innovation, funding access and long-term enterprise development.
