Stanbic IBTC Partners LEAP Africa on CEOs Forum

Stanbic IBTC Bank and LEAP Africa, a leadership development non-profit organisation, are partnering to organise the 11th edition of the CEOs Forum, with a focus on how small businesses can attract funding for sustainable growth.
The CEOs Forum, which was initiated in 2005, brings together local and international speakers for knowledge sharing with entrepreneurs on building sustainable local businesses. The event is targeted at SME founders, captains of industry, private and public sector leaders as well as CEOs drawn from different sectors of the economy. The forum is currently organised as an annual event within the SME space.

With the theme: “Attracting financing for your business: strategies and opportunities,” the forum is slated for Lagos on June 2, 2016, and will attract speakers from different sectors of the economy, including CEO, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane; Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yewande Sadiku; and Founder/CEO, Paga Technology, Tayo Oviosu.

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni,  welcomed the collaboration, which he said was in line within Stanbic IBTC Bank’s commitment to helping Nigeria attain her developmental aspirations, while delivering long-term value to customers, partners, businesses, professionals and the economy at large.
“We value this partnership with LEAP Africa, especially as the focus of this year’s forum resonates well with our own goal of building a new cadre of leadership among business leaders in Nigeria and Africa,” a statement quoted Sanni to have said.
He said the spotlight on the SME segment could not have come at a better time as efforts to diversify the country’s economy intensify.

“SMEs constitute the pivot of the economy. We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to the development of the sector. However, SMEs should realise that attracting financing and ensuring sustainability is only guaranteed by planning, delivery and profitability, and we remain committed to supporting  them in this regard,” he added.
Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Mrs. Iyadunni Olubode, said underlining this year’s theme was the recognition that many Nigerian entrepreneurs struggle with sourcing funding due to both internal and external challenges. However, successful business development requires additional sources of capital to support growth and enable strategic investments.