Keystone Bank SME Business Clinic

Keystone Bank Hosts SME Business Clinics in 10 Nigerian Cities

Simeon Ganzallo
By Simeon Ganzallo - Journalist
2 Min Read

Keystone Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) development by organizing business clinics across 10 major Nigerian cities, reaching thousands of entrepreneurs with strategic training and support.

In a statement on Monday, the bank revealed that the nationwide SME Business Clinic initiative marked the celebration of World SME Day 2025, themed “Empowering SMEs for Growth and Sustainability.”

The empowerment programme, which ran through June, brought business support and financial literacy to SME operators in Lagos (Balogun Market and Computer Village), Port Harcourt, Aba, Asaba, Onitsha, Kano, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Abuja, and Ibadan. The clinics offered hands-on workshops, expert sessions, and access to tools needed to scale businesses and improve sustainability.

Speaking on the initiative, Olayemi Sule, Group Head of Retail and Digital Banking at Keystone Bank, said:

“At Keystone Bank, we understand the vital role SMEs play in national development. The SME Business Clinic was designed to equip business owners with practical tools and knowledge to scale their ventures, build resilience, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth.”

Each session featured interactive Q&A forums, business diagnostics, and access-to-finance education, targeting core operational and strategic challenges faced by SMEs. Participants also received personalized business guidance and networking opportunities to boost collaboration.

Attendees across the country commended Keystone Bank’s proactive engagement with the informal sector, stating that the clinics reflected the bank’s deep understanding of the critical role SMEs play in driving Nigeria’s economy.

Many entrepreneurs noted that it was refreshing to see a bank go beyond routine transactions and instead invest in capacity-building initiatives that impact the grassroots.

According to the Informal Economy Report 2024 by Moniepoint, Nigeria is home to over 40 million MSMEs, of which 89.4% operate in the informal economy, a segment often underserved by formal financial institutions.

The bank says it plans to scale the initiative further, offering digital support tools and follow-up mentorship programs for participating entrepreneurs.

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