Mastercard, Access Bank, among Top Winners at Nairametrics MSME Awards 2024 

Mastercard, Access Bank, and other key players in Nigeria’s financial and technology sectors emerged as big winners at the Nairametrics MSME Finance Awards 2024, an event that celebrated outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

Nairametrics had reported that MSMEs contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and job creation, with approximately 48% of GDP and 80% of total employment attributed to this sector, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Despite the loss of over three million businesses in recent years, the contribution of MSMEs to employment rose by 3.5%. Institutions that support the activities of these businesses deserve recognition for their impact on economic development.

The awards, split into 18 categories, highlight the efforts of financial service providers, banks, and fintech firms that offer tailored solutions to MSMEs.

The annual awards, hosted in collaboration with The Economic Forum Series (EFS), honoured financial institutions and organisations for their innovative solutions and commitment to addressing the unique needs of MSMEs.

Finalists were chosen through a rigorous selection process led by Nairalytics, the research and analytics division of Nairametrics, alongside the Editorial Advisory Board of Economic Forum Media Limited.

Below is the complete list of winners across all categories:

Best MSME Agri Finance 

• Winner: Fidelity Bank

• FCMB

• Unity Bank

Best MSME Trade Finance 

• Winner: Zenith Bank

• United Bank of Africa

•  Eco Bank

Best in MSME Health Insurance 

• Winner: AXA Mansard

• Leadway Assurance

• Heirs Insurance

Best MSME Insurance Company of the Year 

• Winner: Heirs Insurance

• AXA Mansard

•  AIICO

Best in MSME Partnership and Collaboration (CSR Initiative) 

• IEI

• Sterling Bank

• Moniepoint

Best in Payment Security, Data Protection & Fraud Prevention 

• Winner: eTranzact

• Remita

• Paystack

Best in MSME Non-Interest Banking 

• Winner: JAIZ Bank

• Alternate Bank

•  Lotus Bank

Best in MSME Finance for Women & Youth Entrepreneurship 

• Winner: Access Bank

• Wema Bank

• FCMB

Best in MSME Financial Inclusion (Non-Interest Banking) 

• Winner: Alternate Bank

• JAIZ Bank

•  Lotus Bank

Best in MSME Financial Inclusion (DFI) 

• Winner: BoI-ITC (BoI Investment & Trust Company Ltd)

• DBN

• Nigerian-Export-Import Bank (NEXIM)

Best in MSME Financial Inclusion (Micro Finance Bank) 

• Winner: Moniepoint

• LAPO MFB

• VFD

Best in MSME Financial Inclusion (FinTech Card) 

• Winner: MasterCard

• Visa

• Verve

Best in MSME Financial Inclusion (Bank) 

• Winner: Access Bank

• Nominees: Sterling Bank, FCMB

Best in MSME Lending 

• Winner: Polaris Bank

• Wema Bank

•  Sterling Bank

Best MSME Payment/Remittance Platform 

• Winner: Hydrogen Payment

• Palmpay

•  Opay

MSME Payment Service Bank (PSB) of the Year 

• Winner: Airtel Smartcash

• MOMO PSB

• 9PSB

MSME FinTech Platform of the Year 

• Winner: MasterCard

• Flutterwaves

• Interswitch

MSME Microfinance Bank of the Year 

• Winner: VFD

• LAPO MFB

•  Moniepoint

MSME Bank of the Year 

• Sterling Bank (Winner)

• Access Bank
• Wema Bank