Keystone Bank Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as it recently partnered with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) to train and empower leather industry operators in Kano State.
A statement issued by the bank on Wednesday said the three-day programme, executed through the Keystone–Kano SME Leather Support Programme, was designed to strengthen the capacity of leather industry operators, enhance productivity, improve market access, and promote innovation across the leather value chain.
In his opening remarks, Usman Bello Abubakar, Executive Director, North and Public Sector, Keystone Bank Limited, described the partnership with KACCIMA as a strategic initiative to equip leather entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and financial solutions needed to build and scale sustainable businesses.
“As you know, Kano State is widely recognized as Nigeria’s largest leather production hub in West Africa, providing employment for over 40,000 workers, largely within the SME and informal sectors.
“At Keystone Bank, we are constantly exploring innovative ways to support our customers and empower businesses. This initiative is designed to address key gaps in capacity development, access to finance, and market integration within the leather ecosystem.
