Wema Bank, Firms Team up to Empower 10,000 Female Entrepreneurs

 Omolabake Fasogbon

In fulfilling its vision to empower lives, Wema Bank has resolved to empower no fewer than 10,000 female entrepreneurs across the country. 

In achieving this, the bank also forged a partnership with  Entrepreneurial Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University (EDC) and Mastercard Foundation to drive the empowerment initiative which aimed to transform beneficiaries’ businesses and spur economic growth overall. 

At  the bank’s organised ‘Transforming Nigerian Youth Programme’, held in Lagos, Executive Director, Retail and Digital Business of Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku, reiterated that the new efforts being directed at Nigerian women that are  less than 35 years but older than 18 , would engender  women transformation and financial independence.

Mabawonku further affirmed partners’ dedication and capacity to push the initiative, stressing that the project would drive inclusivity, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and legitimate jobs for teeming youths. 

 “With great pride, we embrace the role of architects in this initiative, igniting a spark that promises to set a journey of growth and progress into motion,” he stated. 

Also, Wema bank’s Divisional Head of Retail and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Ayodele Olojede, said the bank’s collaboration with EDC and Mastercard Foundation was structured to empower female customers through enhancement of skills and talents that will naturally sell them to prospective employers and cause them to be financially independent. 

 “Through this alliance, 10,000 female valued customers of the bank will receive complimentary training from seasoned professionals, courtesy of Pan-Atlantic University’s EDC. 

“Among these, 50 individuals will earn the prestigious opportunity to become certified Business Development Support Providers (BDSPs) through SMEDAN. We shall also be providing grants and seed funding of up to N500,000 each enabling them to translate their learning into tangible business success.”

A director at EDC, Nneka Okekerau, said the training set no limit. “The programme captures all entrepreneurs in the creative, digital and agribusiness sectors,” she said.