Keystone Bank Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), positioning itself as a strategic partner that provides more than conventional banking and financing solutions.

The commitment was reiterated during the 66th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), held in Port Harcourt, where the bank’s Directorate Head, South, Dr Eucharia Ken-Agbiriogu, delivered a keynote address.

The conference, themed “The Gulf of Guinea and the Blue Economy – Pathways to Trade, Investment and Security Towards a $1 Trillion Economy,” brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, development partners and other private sector stakeholders.

Ken-Agbiriogu reaffirmed Keystone Bank’s long-standing partnership with NACCIMA, describing MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and stressing the bank’s commitment to helping businesses grow sustainably.

According to her, the bank has developed specialised solutions to support businesses at different stages of growth, including GrowBeta for emerging entrepreneurs, GrowBiz for expanding businesses and Eco-Cycle for enterprises operating within the green and sustainability sector.

She added that Keystone Bank also offers flexible financing options covering working capital, asset acquisition and business expansion to enable enterprises to scale their operations.

“As a bank, we want to help Nigerian enterprises grow, become more competitive and create sustainable value within their communities and the wider economy. We want to be more than a provider of funds; we want to be a trusted partner in growth,” she said.

Ken-Agbiriogu noted that access to finance alone is insufficient without building entrepreneurial capacity. She said the bank continues to invest in business clinics, financial literacy programmes and entrepreneurship initiatives designed to strengthen the capabilities of business owners.

She also highlighted the bank’s ongoing investment in digital transformation, aimed at providing businesses with secure, seamless and innovative banking solutions that improve operational efficiency and support long-term growth.

According to her, Keystone Bank’s collaborations with organisations including NACCIMA, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the National Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) and the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA) demonstrate its belief that sustainable economic development is best achieved through collaboration.

“We will continue to provide innovative financial solutions, digital innovation, advisory services and strategic partnerships that empower businesses. We remain open for business and ready to partner with entrepreneurs in building stronger enterprises, industries and a more prosperous Nigeria,” she said.

Ken-Agbiriogu also urged stakeholders to leverage opportunities within the Gulf of Guinea and the Blue Economy to boost trade, attract investment and contribute to Nigeria’s ambition of building a resilient $1 trillion economy.