Sterling Bank partners EAS to facilitate sustainable export for Nigerian SMEs

Cynthia Ezekwe

Sterling Bank has teamed up with Export and Sell Nigeria Limited (EAS), a leading international trade consultancy, to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria expand their exports. 

The partnership kicked off with a four-day capacity-building boot camp, which was attended by over 130 businesses eager to hone their skills and expand their exports. The boot camp provided participants with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the complexities of the international trade sector and take their businesses to the next level.

Speaking on the partnership, Olushola Obikanye, Sterling Bank’s head of agriculture and export, highlighted the importance of giving Nigerian-made goods access to well-structured markets where they can be sold. He also dwelled on the bank’s commitment to collaborating with partners to co-create products and develop innovative solutions that will bolster the private sector’s role in the agricultural sector.

Akporee Idenedo, the Head of commercial banking at Sterling Bank, added to the conversation by highlighting the bank’s overall vision. Idenedo stressed that the bank’s aim is to foster wealth creation and improve livelihoods through proactive initiatives. He noted that the bank’s support of export-oriented activities helps to empower entrepreneurs, going beyond simply facilitating financial transactions.

“Our conviction lies in the belief that nurturing entrepreneurship leads to wealth generation, and our export conference serves as a pivotal avenue to realise this vision. Given agriculture’s intrinsic link to exports, this platform underscores our commitment to empowering lives, generating wealth, and contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement,’’ Idenedo noted.

Bolanle Tyson, head of SME products at Sterling Bank, shed light on the boot camp session as a follow-up to the inaugural “Export to Wealth” conference, a collaborative effort between the bank and EAS.

Tyson emphasised the high level of interest from businesses in exploring export opportunities, as evidenced by the large turnout for the event. She also stressed the importance of ensuring that products comply with export and import standards, which can make or break a business’s success in the international market.