Wema Bank Wins Awards for Sustainable Finance, Digital Innovation
Nigeria’s Tier-2 lender, Wema Bank Plc, has been recognised for its role in sustainable finance and digital innovation, winning three awards at the Digital Banker Global Sustainable Finance Awards Gala 2024.
The bank made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. The awards include Outstanding Sustainable Finance-SME Finance, Best Digital Platform for Sustainable Finance and Sustainable Finance Professional of the Year-Africa.
The global award ceremony is dedicated to celebrating the world’s preeminent, groundbreaking and cutting-edge financial service institutions. The awardees must have distinguished their unrivalled standards in incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations.
It would also have driven sustainable finance and responsible investment practices across products, services, solutions, projects and initiatives. The bank said it was recognised for its pivotal role in pioneering sustainable finance solutions and raising standards of excellence across the Nigerian financial services industry.
It stated that the Outstanding Sustainable Finance category was awarded to the bank for its remarkable SME finance offerings. According to it, the Best Digital Platform for Sustainable Finance was given to the bank for its cutting-edge fully digital bank, ALAT.
The Sustainable Finance Professional of the Year in Africa, it stated, was awarded to the bank’s Head of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, Ms Abimbola Agbejule.
It said: “From launching Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, in 2017 to championing paperless operations across major touchpoints, and proliferating digital empowerment for diverse Nigerians across the nation.
”Wema Bank has earned a formidable reputation as a pioneer of digital innovation and sustainable impact in Nigeria.
“The bank continues to empower lives through various solutions and initiatives like the FGN-ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme, NYSC-ALAT Accelerator Programme and Hackaholics, among others, promoting sustainable development for customers of all ages.”
Wema Bank said that its Green Energy Finance Facility had served as a game-changer for sustainability in Nigeria. It revealed that the facility had provided up to N10 million in uncollaterised loans and N750 million with collateral, specifically for the purchase of renewable energy solutions.
Receiving the award, Mr Moruf Oseni, Managing Director, Wema Bank, underscored the bank’s commitment to utilising digital innovation for sustainable impact. Oseni, represented by the bank’s Chief Digital Officer, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, described digitalisation as the core of the bank’s DNA.
“It is undeniable that digital is the future, so to ensure that our customers continue to thrive sustainably, we have undertaken the responsibility of championing digital empowerment. This vision continues to fuel our actions and solutions, and we are honoured that our impact is being recognised.
“ALAT stands as the standard in the financial services industry, being the first fully digital bank in Africa.
“Through ALAT, we have been able to reduce footfall in physical locations as well as reduce carbon footprint across our touchpoints by digitising processes by establishing our place as an industry leader in promoting sustainable development,” he said.
In her remark, Ms Abimbola Agbejule, Wema Bank’s Head of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, and recipient of the third award, charged institutions to promote sustainability for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
Agbejule said that the award was a testimony to Wema Bank’s outstanding performance. He thanked the workforce for continually helping the bank to implement sustainability and ESG initiatives. #Wema Bank Wins Awards for Sustainable Finance, Digital Innovation Naira Slides as Nigerians Import Appetite Rises
