Keystone Bank Limited has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University to drive support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote youth entrepreneurship, and deepen financial inclusion across Nigeria.
The agreement was formalised on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Keystone Bank’s head office in Lagos, marking a new chapter in collaborative efforts to foster economic empowerment through enterprise development.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mrs Nnenna Okoro, Executive Director for Corporate and South at Keystone Bank, described the partnership as a strategic move aligned with Nigeria’s economic transformation goals. She emphasised the crucial role of SMEs in national development.
“Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of sustainable economic development. Across Nigeria, MSMEs are not just businesses; they represent the resilience and ambition of individuals striving to create value, generate employment, and build a better future,” Okoro stated.
She added that Keystone Bank’s sponsorship of the 2025 EDC SME Conference and support for the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Walk highlight the bank’s commitment to youth empowerment, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
Group Head of Retail and Digital Banking at Keystone Bank, Olayemi Sule, also spoke on the potential benefits for customers and entrepreneurs. He noted that the partnership would deliver tailor-made digital and financial products aimed at boosting business growth and improving access to markets.
“Our customers can expect innovative financial solutions designed to address specific SME challenges—ranging from access to finance, digital payments, and bookkeeping to capacity building and financial literacy,” Sule said.
Representing the EDC, Mrs Nnenna Ugo, a board member and Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services at Pan-Atlantic University, expressed strong optimism about the long-term impact of the collaboration. She highlighted EDC’s experience in training and supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs over the past two decades.
“In our 21 years of operation, EDC has trained over 350,000 entrepreneurs. This partnership with Keystone Bank is timely and catalytic as we scale our programmes ahead of the 2025 SME Conference and GEW Nigeria. The bank’s leadership and support are commendable,” Ugo said.
She explained that the SME Conference serves as a vital platform for engaging key stakeholders in the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem, facilitating discussions on the most pressing challenges facing small businesses, and encouraging actionable solutions.
The 2025 edition of the SME Conference and the GEW Walk are expected to attract a wide range of participants from across Nigeria’s business, policy, and academic communities. These events aim to raise awareness about the role of SMEs in job creation and economic resilience, particularly in a country where over 90% of businesses are classified as micro, small, or medium-scale enterprises.
Keystone Bank’s involvement as a major sponsor underlines its growing reputation as a strong advocate for inclusive finance and enterprise support. Through this partnership, the bank aims to expand its social impact footprint while helping to build a more resilient and diversified economy.
As part of the agreement, Keystone Bank will work with the EDC to enhance programme delivery and support services, especially for youth entrepreneurs and women-led businesses.
