Keystone Bank Limited has added another feather to its cap after emerging as the “Most Friendly SME Bank of the Year 2024” at the Champion Newspapers Annual Awards, held over the weekend in Lagos.
The recognition, which was presented by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, acknowledged the bank’s outstanding contributions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria.
The award highlights Keystone Bank’s strategic role in strengthening the SME ecosystem by expanding access to financing, offering bespoke financial solutions, and facilitating capacity-building initiatives designed to stimulate economic development at the grassroots level.
While handing over the award to Nnenna Anyim-Okoro, the bank’s Executive Director, South and Corporate Bank, Dabiri-Erewa commended the bank’s consistency and innovation in supporting small businesses, which she described as the bedrock of Nigeria’s economy.
“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 stated.
In her acceptance speech, Anyim-Okoro expressed appreciation to the organisers for the honour and reaffirmed Keystone Bank’s unwavering dedication to supporting Nigeria’s SME community.
“We are truly honoured to receive this award, which reinforces our mission to be a dependable partner in the growth journey of SMEs across Nigeria,” she said.
She went further to explain that SMEs are not just another economic segment, but rather the engine room of national development. According to her, they drive employment, spur innovation, and promote inclusive economic growth.
At the heart of Keystone Bank’s strategy, she added, is a commitment to creating a supportive ecosystem for SMEs. This includes customised financial products, digital loan solutions, and entrepreneurial training programmes designed to help businesses scale sustainably.
“We have rolled out several impactful programmes targeted at unlocking the potential of SMEs in diverse industries,” Anyim-Okoro said. “From retail and agriculture to tech and manufacturing, our goal is to support value creation, scalability, and resilience.”
She explained that the bank has invested significantly in digital platforms, making it easier for small businesses to access loans without collateral, manage cash flow, and navigate complex financial requirements. The bank’s digital lending platform and tailored SME packages have become popular tools for many entrepreneurs.
The event, attended by stakeholders from across sectors, also had in attendance other senior executives from Keystone Bank, 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’s award comes at a time when stakeholders are placing increasing emphasis on financial inclusion and private sector participation in driving Nigeria’s economic recovery and sustainable development.
Industry observers have noted that with inflation, high-interest rates, and foreign exchange challenges affecting Nigerian businesses, banks like Keystone that invest in small business support systems are playing a critical role in economic resilience and recovery.
According to recent data from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), SMEs represent over 96% of businesses in the country and contribute more than 48% to the national GDP, making their survival and growth central to Nigeria’s economic future.
Champion Newspapers’ Annual Awards has grown into one of Nigeria’s most respected platforms for recognising excellence and impact across the public and private sectors. The “Most Friendly SME Bank” category is keenly contested and reserved for financial institutions that demonstrate innovation, consistency, and a deep understanding of the needs of small business owners.
As the Nigerian business environment continues to evolve, Keystone Bank’s leadership in SME support is setting the standard for how financial institutions can act as real partners in progress.
