FirstBank, West Africa’s leading financial institution and champion of financial inclusion, has announced the next edition of its SMEConnect Webinar, a capacity-building initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and business owners.
The virtual event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 25, 2026, and will bring together industry experts, policymakers, and financial professionals to provide practical insights on business growth and financing opportunities.
Held quarterly, the SMEConnect Webinar is one of FirstBank’s flagship platforms for empowering entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.
This edition is themed “Funding Your Growth: How SMEs Can Access Finance and Scale Faster.” Participants will gain valuable insights into securing business financing, leveraging digital solutions, and overcoming common operational challenges that hinder growth.
The webinar will feature a keynote address by Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance and Convener of DashMe Foundation and NIDACITY. The event will also include a panel discussion with leading experts, including Oluwatoyin Edu, Executive Director, MSME, Bank of Industry; Afoluwake Dahunsi, Head, Credit Analysis and Processing, FirstBank; and Helen Willie, Head, SME Banking, FirstBank.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, highlighted the significance of the webinar in helping businesses unlock growth opportunities.
“SMEConnect is about turning ambition into access,” Ezirim said. “Access to capital remains one of the biggest constraints facing SMEs today. Through this edition, we aim to demystify funding, help entrepreneurs understand what it takes to become bankable, and connect them with the right tools and partners to scale their businesses faster.”
Interested participants can register for the webinar through FirstBank’s designated online registration platform.
The SMEConnect initiative underscores FirstBank’s continued commitment to entrepreneurship, economic development, and the growth of Nigeria’s SME sector. By providing access to expert knowledge and practical business solutions, the bank is helping entrepreneurs build stronger, more resilient businesses capable of competing in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.
As SMEs continue to play a critical role in job creation and economic growth, initiatives such as SMEConnect are expected to provide much-needed guidance and support for business owners seeking to expand, innovate, and achieve sustainable success.
