Standard Chartered Boosts SMEs for Global Trade Growth

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria commemorated International SME Day 2026 with a dedicated client engagement session aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen their export capabilities and navigate opportunities within Nigeria's trade ecosystem. The session, themed "Scale Beyond Borders: Changing the Global Market," brought together industry experts and business leaders to discuss export development and cross-border growth.

Ayodeji Adelagun, Acting CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, underscored the vital role of SMEs as engines of economic growth and job creation, noting that they account for approximately 96% of businesses in Nigeria and contribute nearly half of the nation's GDP. The session addressed the evolving macroeconomic environment, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration across the trade ecosystem and the role of financial institutions in enabling Nigerian SMEs to expand beyond domestic markets.

Bisi Ok, Head of SME Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, reflected on the bank's commitment to providing access, insights, and partnership opportunities to help clients grow competitively in the international market.