Stanbic IBTC Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape through a new MSME growth partnership with the Abia State Government aimed at expanding funding opportunities, business advisory services and enterprise development across the state.
The commitment was announced during the Nigeria Business Summit Regional Tour held in Aba, where Stanbic IBTC collaborated with the Abia State Government to deliver business enlightenment sessions, funding masterclasses, enterprise advisory services and capacity-building programmes for entrepreneurs.
The initiative forms part of the bank’s broader strategy to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by creating stronger partnerships with governments and institutions that promote business growth.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Michael Enyinnaya Akpara, said the Abia State Government remains focused on building one of Nigeria’s most competitive enterprise ecosystems through targeted policy reforms. According to him, the state is developing a comprehensive MSME Policy that will provide a structured framework for enterprise development while also establishing a statewide MSME Directory to improve business visibility and attract investment opportunities.
Akpara also announced plans for the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project (Abia Expo 2026), an initiative designed to promote locally manufactured products, showcase Nigerian innovation and position Abia as a leading destination for quality local production. He stressed that sustainable enterprise development requires collaboration between government and the private sector.
“Abia State is intentionally building an ecosystem where businesses can start, grow, compete and access markets both locally and internationally. Partnerships with organisations like Stanbic IBTC are critical because government cannot build a thriving MSME ecosystem alone,” he said.
Commenting on the bank’s role in enterprise development, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Chuma Nwokocha, said businesses achieve sustainable growth when they have access to finance, market intelligence and strategic business platforms.
He explained that the bank intends to accelerate MSME development through value chain financing, structured lending and advisory services designed to help promising businesses become long-term enterprises. According to Nwokocha, Stanbic IBTC will continue investing in sectors expected to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation over the coming decade.
Also speaking, the Executive Director for Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Remy Osuagwu, said the institution is adopting a more deliberate nationwide strategy to ensure practical business support reaches entrepreneurs where they operate.
He noted that bringing financial services, capacity building and enterprise support closer to business owners would help unlock greater opportunities for innovation, expansion and job creation. The MSME growth partnership between Stanbic IBTC and the Abia State Government is expected to strengthen access to finance, improve business competitiveness and support long-term economic development by creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive.
