Polaris Bank, LSTEF launch N1b fund to empower artisans in Lagos state

Polaris Bank and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) have partnered to provide N1 billion fund to 1,827 artisans operating in Lagos state.

This was disclosed at a joint media launch of the artisans’ funds and addressed by the Bank’s Executive Director, Lagos Business, Mr Segun Opeke, on Thursday.

Mr Opeke explained that the partnership with LSETF is aimed at providing the much-needed funding to create wealth and empower artisans and players within the MSME space in Lagos state who have been in business operation for a minimum of one year.”

The executive director further noted that Polaris Bank will be providing N500m counterpart funding in the partnership, while LSETF is providing the fund with the same amount. He encouraged artisans in the state
to take advantage of the facility.

In her presentation at the signing off ceremony, the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Tejumola Abisoye, stated, “LSETF working with the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans and the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment is committed to making an impact by ensuring it creates access to finance and sustainable job opportunities for artisans in Lagos State.

“We are happy to partner with Polaris Bank in ensuring that this mandate is achieved, and we know that through this fund, thousands of artisan businesses across the state can become sustainable. At LSETF, we are open to more strategic partnerships to reduce unemployment by building the capacity and improving the productivity of Lagos residents” she added.

“We are working with Polaris Bank to grant this loan at a single digit of 9.5% per annum. This is extremely important because we want it to be clear from day one that it is affordable. We still think it is the most affordable in the market that you can have access to at the moment,” she added.

Explaining the process of accessing the artisans’ funds, the Group Head, Products and Market, Polaris Bank, Mrs Adebimpe Ihekuna, said the scheme is highly subsidised at less than 1 per cent flat per month and artisans who wish to take advantage of the facility can complete an application form; provide proof of verifiable business location with evidence of tenancy and domiciliation of business account to Polaris Bank. Applicants are also to provide a business plan among other friendly terms throughout the tenure of the facility.

Mrs Ihekuna further explained that the scheme offers up to N5m for the MSMEs to be able to purchase working equipment so that even as a cobbler, vulcanizer, a barbing or hairdressing salon owner or whatever business you do, you can create value which also becomes a platform to continue to provide more employment opportunities for the youth.

On her part, Director of Programs, LSETF, Omolara Adewumi, expressed appreciation to Polaris Bank for the collaboration and the gesture of coming on board as a financial partner. She noted the role MSMEs play in creating jobs and reducing poverty.

“I believe the time for this kind of matching funds which focuses mainly on artisans in Lagos state is now and we know that this collaboration will be a successful one,” she added.

Lagos State’s informal economy, under which artisans are categorized, is said to employ about 5.5 million people, about three-quarters of the State’s 7.5 million labour force, out of the country’s nearly 200 million people. This figure represents over 80 per cent of the population working in the informal sector, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Despite its evident potential, the informal economy is often faced with difficulties, one of which is the lack of access to finance.

Prospective applicants are, therefore, encouraged to visit any Polaris Bank branch, or the liaison offices of LSETF to apply.

From left, Mrs Adebimpe Ihekuna, Group Head, Product & Market Development, Polaris Bank; Teju Abisoye, Executive Secretary, LSETF; Segun Opeke, Executive Director, Lagos Business, Polaris Bank and Omolara Adewumi, Director of Programs, LSETF at the Launch of N1b LSETF/Polaris Artisans Fund in Lagos on Thursday.

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Polaris Bank, LSTEF launch N1b fund to empower artisans in Lagos state