By Peter Egwuatu
Stanbic IBTC Bank has affirmed its commitment to accelerating the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria through strategic partnerships with state governments and institutions committed to creating enabling environments for businesses to thrive.
The bank made this commitment during its Nigeria Business Summit Regional Tour held in Aba, in partnership with the Abia State Government, to deliver business enlightenment sessions, funding masterclasses, enterprise advisory services and capacity-building programmes for entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Michael Enyinnaya Akpara, reiterated Abia State Government’s commitment to building one of Nigeria’s most competitive enterprise ecosystems through deliberate policy reforms and strategic initiatives.
According to him, the State is currently developing a comprehensive MSME Policy to provide a clear framework for enterprise development, while also establishing a statewide MSME Directory to improve business visibility and access to investment opportunities. He further announced plans for the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Project (Abia Expo 2026), an initiative designed to showcase the ingenuity of Nigerian businesses, strengthen locally manufactured products and position Abia as Nigeria’s preferred destination for quality local production.
