ProvidusBank, in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), has unveiled the fifth cohort of its “ProvidusBank SME Programme,” marking a significant milestone in the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
This initiative coincides with the bank’s fifth anniversary of fostering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
Head of SME Strategy at ProvidusBank, Damilola Feyide, told newsmen that over 300 SME owners have benefited from the programme since its inception in 2020. She revealed that this year’s edition will expand beyond Lagos to include Abuja, reflecting the bank’s ambition to reach a wider audience.
Feyide, who described the programme, as Providus Bank’s flagship SME programme, because, according to her, it was a sort of foundation for any other programme or initiative that the bank subsequently introduced for small businesses, said that the launch of the fifth edition of the programme was an occasion for the celebration of its achievements.
She said: “It is a day of celebration for us as a bank. It is not just celebrations but it is also us recommitting ourselves as a bank to the work we are doing in the SME space. And it is really just saying that we want to do more. So today, as we are celebrating five years we are announcing that today we are launching the ProvidusBank SME programme in Lagos and Abuja. And we are just hoping that it continues to grow.”
She expressed gratitude towards EDC for their partnership in delivering essential training to SMEs, which she described as vital to Nigeria’s economic foundation.
In her remarks, a member of the Board of Directors of the EDC, Nnenna Ugwu, commended ProvidusBank for initiating the programme and supporting entrepreneurs in the country.
She said: “This is the fifth run of the ProvidusBank SME programme. We say thank you ProvidusBank, They have really demonstrated their commitment to helping to build the SME the space. So we want to appreciate them for all they are doing; their love their support.”
She advised owners of SMEs to always embrace integrity as they carry out their business activities.
Participants of the programme shared their success stories during the event, highlighting its positive impact on their businesses.
Managing Director/CEO of Onebrick Investment Limited, Bayonle Lawal, said although he was initially hesitant about joining the programme, he was so impressed with what he learnt during the first few weeks of his participating in it that he immediately started implementing them in his business.
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