Zenith Bank Ghana has rolled out the maiden edition of the Zenith SME Business Empowerment Lab, a quarterly webinar series, as part of efforts to strengthen the operations of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

The virtual event, which was streamed via Zoom and the Bank’s Facebook and YouTube pages, was held  on Thursday February 26, 2026 under the theme “Building Stronger Businesses: Unlocking Zenith Bank’s SME Ecosystem,” brought together entrepreneurs, business owners and industry players in the SME sector to equip participants with insights, tools and tailored resources to enable SMEs thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Participants were taken through the Bank’s Ecosystem of tailored financing solutions, trade facilitation services, digital banking platforms and strategic advisory support which enhance the operational efficiency of SMEs, improve cash flow and strengthen business resilience.

Why SMEs

The MD/CEO of Zenith Bank Ghana, Henry Onwuzurigbo, said SMEs are the backbone of Ghana’s economy, accounting for about 90 percent of businesses, providing over 80 percent of employment, and contributing more than 70 percent of private sector output.

He added, “Yet, despite their critical role, many SMEs continue to face challenges such as limited access to finance, high interest rates, lack of collateral, weak corporate governance, and gaps in infrastructure, technology, and managerial capacity, all of which affect business growth and competitiveness.”

Recognising the many challenges that SMEs face in their daily operations, Mr. Onwuzurigbo explained that the Bank introduced this initiative to provide meaningful support. He stated that the goal is to build a vibrant knowledge‑sharing ecosystem where businesses can gain clarity, uncover opportunities within the Bank’s SME network and access the right tools to become stronger and more resilient

The Zenith Bank SME Ecosystem

Group Head – Marketing, of Zenith Bank Ghana, Gloria Cabutey-Adodoadji, said the Bank’s SME ecosystem reflects a broader shift in Ghana’s financial sector, where banks are positioning themselves not merely as lenders but as long-term growth partners to small and medium-sized enterprises. She highlighted the Bank’s specialised MSME accounts for different categories of MSMEs, the Zenith SME Lounge - a capacity-building initiative that provides a range of training programmes designed to support SMEs enhance their skills and strengthen their business operations and the Bank’s loan products that support business needs. 

Mrs. Cabutey-Adodoadji emphasised that access to finance remains central to the Bank’s SME strategy, noting opportunities for overdrafts, asset financing, invoice discounting, export financing and other tailored financing needs to support SME businesses. She added that partnerships with the African Guarantee Fund, Development Bank Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation BRIDGE-in-Agriculture Finance Programme are strengthening cash-flow-based lending support for small businesses.

The Head of E-Business, Betty Naa Crabbe, took participants through the Bank’s digital products tailored for SMEs, explaining how technology-driven solutions can help improve efficiency, payments and overall business management.

During the session, Godwin Odoi, Head of Trade Services sensitized participants on Zenith Bank’s comprehensive suite of trade services, designed to simplify international transactions and cross-border payments, ensuring efficiency and ease of business.

Beyond operational support, he also highlighted the Bank’s trade support desk that guide SMEs through complex trade processes, regulatory requirements and emerging global market opportunities, reinforcing Zenith Bank’s role as a trusted partner for SME growth.

The session also featured a Q&A segment, during which participants asked pertinent questions relating to their specific business operations, financing needs, digital tools, and trade processes.

Through the Zenith SME Business Empowerment Lab, Zenith Bank Ghana reaffirms its role not just as a financial institution, but as a trusted partner walking alongside SMEs on their journey of growth and resilience. With this initiative, Zenith Bank Ghana remains dedicated to empowering enterprises to unlock new opportunities, strengthen their foundations, and confidently expand into both local and global markets.