Wema Bank has reiterated its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s small business sector, highlighting entrepreneurs as the key drivers of the country’s sustainable economic growth.

The pledge comes on the heels of a standout performance at the 2026 Global SME Banking Innovation Awards, where Wema Bank claimed two major honours: SME Financier of the Year and Best SME Lending Product – Digital Bank.

The awards recognised the bank’s proactive efforts in expanding credit access and building a digital-first platform that overcomes traditional banking barriers for small businesses.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, stated that the awards represent both a milestone and a mandate, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to further strengthen support for Nigeria’s local business community.

“Small and medium-sized businesses remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. They drive innovation, job creation and sustainable economic growth,” Oseni stated.

He further emphasized that the bank has moved beyond focusing solely on transactions, adopting a strategy aimed at providing a comprehensive support system for businesses.

” At Wema Bank, we recognise the immense potential of this sector and the challenges many entrepreneurs face in accessing the financial tools required to scale. This is why we have been deliberate about building an ecosystem that goes beyond traditional banking and provides entrepreneurs with accessible financing, seamless digital solutions, advisory support and market opportunities that help them thrive,” he noted.

A cornerstone of the bank’s achievement is the MSME Instant Loan, which won the award for Best SME Lending Product. Leveraging a fully digital, collateral-free application process, the bank has cut disbursement times from weeks to just minutes.

The Executive Director of Retail and Digital Banking, Tunde Mabawonku, underscored the role of technology in broadening access to capital, stating that “technology-driven lending models and digital capabilities are helping remove longstanding barriers to credit while expanding financial inclusion among entrepreneurs.”

Wema Bank’s commitment to MSMEs also reaches targeted demographic groups and includes initiatives focused on enhancing digital skills and capacity.