Wema Bank in partnership with Naija Brand Chick (NBC) and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), promote intra-continental trade and empower women in business with NBC Trade Fair in London.
At a press briefing to announce the trade fair, which would hold August 17 and 18 in London, Wema explained that the partnership aimed to bridge the gap between Nigerian exporters and the global market, facilitate foreign exchange collections, and drive socioeconomic transformation for women in Nigeria.
Speaking, Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Wema Bank, Ayodele Olojede said the partnership seeks to address the challenges faced by women in international trade, where only 15 per cent of businesses engaged in international trade are led by women, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“ In Africa, women only produce one-fourth of the total generated exported value, despite making up 50 per cent of the population.
“As a purveyor of wealth for over 8 decades, we understand that the economic prosperity of our people is directly related to ours. Africa, especially Nigeria, can only grow if we trade amongst ourselves and with other countries, regions, and continents.
“Through this partnership, we aim to increase investment, integrate Nigerian exporters into the global value chain, and facilitate foreign exchange collections using digital collection tools. The partnership will also provide shared market insights, business networking opportunities, and financing to support women in business.
“Wema Bank’s approach is holistic, addressing trade facilitation, business networking, investment opportunities, digitalization, and financing. The bank’s digital platforms, such as ALATPay, POS Terminals, Decals, and ALAT For Business, will provide seamless financial services to support businesses.”
Olojede emphasised that Wema Bank’s commitment is to ensure the mainstreaming of women’s participation in driving the transformation of the Nigerian economy.
“When people ask us why this partnership, our answer remains the same: To be the dominant digital platform in Africa delivering seamless financial services.”
Also speaking, the Director General of SMEDAN, Charles Odili applauded the efforts of Wema Bank at empowering women owned businesses and SMEs in the country in recent years, saying that the agency would be collaborating with the bank to make the London event a success.
He revealed that his agency would work with relevant government agencies to make sure all the entrepreneurs who would be going to London for the exhibition are granted visa.
Odili further revealed that his agency would be partnering with the bank to create jobs for the Nigerians in-line with the Bola Tinubu’s administration agenda to tackle unemployment and fight poverty.
“We want to create more jobs, and give opportunities to local entrepreneurs, we are doing so with Wema Bank Naija Chick.
“We are making sure what everyone who wants to go for the exhibition in London gets a visa and we would work with relevant government agency to make this possible,” Odili said.
Also speaking, Tola Johnson Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, office of the Vice President, lauded the bank’s initiative at empowering SMEs and women in recent years through the Sara initiative.
Speaking further, Johnson said his office was ready to partner with the Wema Bank on programs in the next few months to boost SMEs and create jobs for Nigerians, especially the youth.
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