Sterling Bank provides free Wi-Fi, sales platforms for small businesses

Determined to sustain its efforts at empowering the Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in the country to enable it play a more active role as catalyst for economic growth and development, Sterling Bank Plc has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Lagos Fashion Design Week (LFDW).

The event would hold from October 26 to 29 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, explained in a statement yesterday that the bank’s support of the programme was based on the need to diversify the nation’s economy in view of the decline in oil export and the need to adequately harness the abundant talent in the fashion industry to support the local economy.

The LFDW, a leading fashion event on the African fashion calendar, organised by Style House Files, has succeeded in repositioning fashion as a useful tool for commerce and creativity in the country.

Apart from supporting the event, another initiative introduced by the bank for the empowerment of small business owners is the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Academy.

The focus of the Academy is to build capacity for existing and emerging micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to enable them grow and easily access funds for expansion.

Participants are also well equipped to navigate the challenging operating environment.

A major highlight and new addition is the LFDW X Retail, the commercial arm of LFDW, which provides a platform for members of the fashion and creative community to sell their works, with two of the bank’s MSME customers given free booths to showcase and sell their work.

The bank is also providing free Wi-Fi at the four-day event to enable guests share their experiences and promote designs that inspire them.