At inception 125 years old ago, FirstBank, having known that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the growth engines for much of the world’s economy as well as its sources of innovation, development and jobs, took it upon itself to pioneer the growth of the sector in Nigeria.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by every standard play a major role in most economies, particularly in developing countries, and especially Nigeria. SMEs account for the majority of businesses worldwide and are important contributors to job creation and global economic development. They represent about 90% of businesses and more than 50% of employment worldwide.
According to the World Bank, 600 million jobs will be needed by 2030 to absorb the growing global workforce, which makes SME development a high priority for many governments around the world. This is the yardstick FirstBank has keyed into to circulate among all and sundry through the provision of funds and technical know-how to practitioners of SMEs.
Again, in emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which create 7 out of 10 jobs. But because access to finance is a key constraint to SME growth, and of course the second most cited obstacle facing SMEs to grow their businesses in emerging markets and developing countries, FirstBank has stepped in to bridge the gap with clear cut modalities and activities tested and trusted to grow SMEs and lift not a few out of the poverty line.
It is worthy of note that the business of SMEs invariably refer to ‘individuals who are working alone, in growing firms or as part of platforms to create economic well-being’.
However, SMEs can basically be explained as businesses with 10 to 2,000 employees and an annual revenue of US$1m to US$500m. They make up a large, diverse group — both globally and across the industry. However, many of these businesses face common challenges throughout their lifecycle such as access to working capital, talent and the expertise needed for growth.
It is in the light of the above that FirstBank has taken it upon itself to raise men and women who have what it take to develop businesses from the scratch, and nurtured to great heights in other to continue generating diverse revenue to sustain world economy and eradicate hunger in every form.
According to Ernst and Young 2019 Global Fintech Adoption Index, 25% of SMEs worldwide have used services in the past six months provided by FinTechs in all of these four categories: banking and payments, financial management, financing and insurance.
The bar FinTechs and big tech companies have raised notwithstanding, FirstBank has remained resolute in providing the needed assistance to SMEs and other developing businesses through the provision of funds and needed enablements for growth and sustainability.
It is on record therefore that FirstBank has in a space of just two years (2017 – date) released a total of N170.3 billion in terms of loans to SMEs, the product type notwithstanding while in the same vein a total of 70, 703 different and diverse kinds of SME businesses have been supported and given new leases of life within the last three to seven years. That is pure, transparent dedication to lifting Nigerians from poverty, and out of financial doldrum.
Over the years, FirstBank has delivered innovative solutions to SMEs for basic financial services, such as customer payments, foreign exchange hedging and cash flow management.
