Stanbic IBTC extends SME Business Summit nationwide

 

Stanbic IBTC has announced a nationwide regional tour of its Nigeria Business Summit, extending the initiative beyond Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

The bank said the regional tour follows the success of the maiden Lagos edition, which attracted nearly 2,000 physical participants and recorded strong engagement and positive feedback from business owners and entrepreneurs.

According to the lender, the regional expansion is designed to bring practical business support closer to SMEs in key commercial hubs, enabling them to access expert advice, funding opportunities and valuable business networks within their local markets.

The tour will begin in Onitsha on July 1, followed by Aba on July 8, Ibadan on July 15 and Kano on August 5.

Stanbic IBTC said the phased rollout reflects its strategy of engaging businesses where they operate while addressing the unique opportunities and challenges facing enterprises in different regions of the country.

Each event will feature expert-led sessions on funding readiness, trade opportunities, enterprise growth and business sustainability. Participants will also attend interactive masterclasses and panel discussions focused on helping SMEs improve their competitiveness. Business owners will have access to enterprise clinics where Stanbic IBTC relationship managers and specialists will provide one-on-one advisory services on access to finance, digital banking solutions, and expansion strategies.

The bank said the regional tour will also provide SMEs with opportunities to showcase their products, build partnerships and connect with potential customers within their respective markets.

Stanbic IBTC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting SMEs, describing the sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.

According to the bank, the regional tour is a practical extension of its SME value proposition, aimed at delivering sustained engagement and actionable support to entrepreneurs.

It added that by combining business capability development, access to finance and networking opportunities, the initiative is expected to strengthen the capacity of SMEs to scale sustainably and compete in both domestic and cross-border markets.

Stanbic IBTC invited business owners, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders in the selected cities to participate in the summit and take advantage of the opportunities to learn, connect and grow their businesses.

The bank said the initiative reinforces its commitment to serving as a trusted partner to Nigerian enterprises while supporting sustainable economic growth across key sectors.