FirstBank Empowers SMEs with AI-Pushed Development Methods, Hosts SMEConnect Webinar

FirstBank, West Africa’s premier monetary establishment and monetary inclusion companies supplier, is happy to announce the upcoming version of the SMEConnect Webinar scheduled to carry on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. The occasion will equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the information and instruments to harness the ability of Synthetic Intelligence (AI) for enterprise progress.

This version is strategically curated to tell and educate SMEs on how AI might be utilized to scale their companies in at this time’s quickly evolving digital economic system. The chosen theme, “AI for Enterprise Development: From Adoption to Integration and Scalable Influence,” displays the rising significance and timeliness of AI as probably the most influential traits shaping the SME enterprise panorama. The session will present SMEs with actionable insights on the right way to leverage AI to reinforce productiveness, streamline operations, strengthen buyer engagement, and make smarter, data-driven choices.

The SMEConnect webinar will characteristic specialists, together with Temitope Odude, Senior AI Options Architect at Microsoft as a visitor speaker. Odude will present credible and globally related views on how SMEs can efficiently undertake and combine AI into their on a regular basis enterprise operations. Different audio system embrace Abednego Ugwueke, Head of Digital Channels and Ibidun Adedewe, Head of SME Acquisition & Partnerships at FirstBank.

Talking forward of the occasion, Chuma Ezirim, Group Govt, e-Enterprise and Retail Merchandise at FirstBank, mentioned “SMEs are the spine of the Nigerian economic system, and at FirstBank, we recognise that the economic system can not thrive with out them. As a dedicated progress companion to SMEs, this session reinforces our sturdy give attention to innovation, demonstrated via initiatives corresponding to the usage of AI‑enabled credit score scoring to ship quick, instantaneous loans to micro‑SMEs, with over ₦1 trillion disbursed to help clients’ monetary wants. Constructing on this basis, we’re equipping enterprise homeowners with the correct information and sensible insights on Synthetic Intelligence to assist them scale within the quick time period and drive sustainable progress. I encourage each enterprise proprietor to take part on this session to realize palms‑on steerage on integrating AI into on a regular basis enterprise operations.”

SME homeowners and entrepreneurs can register for the webinar at https://firstbanknigeria.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cUr1LhWFQXymTqWtONOOVg

SMEConnect Webinar sequence is one in every of FirstBank’s signature platforms for supporting SMEs with sensible information and strategic insights. The Financial institution has constantly gained awards for impacting companies and for offering revolutionary options for patrons and different stakeholders, together with SMEs.

The Financial institution was named Finest SME Financial institution in Nigeria and Finest SME Financial institution in Africa by TAB International Excellence in Retail Finance Awards for two years as at 2025.  The Financial institution additionally gained the SME Financier of the 12 months- Nigeria awarded by The Digital Banker.