Keystone Bank Limited has been recognised as the “Most Friendly SME Bank of the Year 2024” at the Champion Newspapers Annual Awards, which took place over the weekend in Lagos. The award highlights the bank’s efforts and continued support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria.
The award was presented by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who commended the bank’s commitment to helping small businesses grow and thrive. While handing the award to Nnenna Anyim-Okoro, Executive Director of South and Corporate Bank at Keystone Bank, Dabiri-Erewa said the recognition was well-deserved.
“The reward for hard work is more work,” she said. “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.”
Anyim-Okoro, who received the award on behalf of the bank, expressed gratitude to Champion Newspapers and the organisers of the event. She said the award serves as motivation for the bank to continue supporting SMEs through financial and non-financial solutions tailored to their unique needs.
“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. “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.”
She explained that Keystone Bank has invested heavily in digital platforms that simplify access to loans for entrepreneurs. The bank also provides specialised training and mentorship programmes for small business owners across various sectors.
According to her, “We have rolled out several impactful programmes 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.”
Keystone Bank has designed several financial products to address the needs of small businesses, ranging from low-interest loans to sector-specific advisory services. The bank also uses digital technology to speed up loan approvals, reduce paperwork, and ensure faster access to funds for entrepreneurs.
Over the years, the bank has gained a reputation for offering practical support to small businesses, especially in underserved communities. Many entrepreneurs have benefited from the bank’s simplified loan application process, business clinics, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at helping them manage and grow their businesses effectively.
Present at the award ceremony were top officials from Keystone Bank, including Emmanuel Ntomchukwu, Directorate Head for Lagos Mainland; Chinyelu Ogufere, Group Head, Industrials & Emerging Sectors; and Tina Ebuehi, Department Head, Retail Products & Value Chain Management. Their presence showed the bank’s united commitment to boosting the SME space in Nigeria.
The SME sector is widely regarded as a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy, providing employment for millions and supporting innovation in various industries. With limited access to finance remaining a key challenge for small businesses, financial institutions like Keystone Bank are playing a crucial role in bridging the gap.
Stakeholders in the business community have welcomed the recognition of Keystone Bank, noting that such awards help encourage financial institutions to do more in promoting inclusive economic growth. As the economic environment continues to evolve, especially with the increasing role of technology and digital banking, many believe that consistent support for SMEs will be key to Nigeria’s recovery and long-term development.
The Champion Newspapers Annual Awards is an event that honours individuals and organisations that have made meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s growth in different sectors. The recognition of Keystone Bank comes at a time when banks are being urged to do more to support entrepreneurship and youth-led businesses in the country.
Keystone Bank’s win underlines the importance of strong partnerships between the banking industry and SMEs, especially in times of economic uncertainty. The bank says it will continue to roll out innovative financial solutions, improve customer experience, and strengthen its engagement with entrepreneurs across all regions in Nigeria.
