#EndSARS: ‘It’s Our Duty to Get Businesses Back on Track,’ Access Bank Says as It Announces $130m Interest-free Loans

One of Africa’s largest banks has announced a N50 billion (About $!30 million) support in form of interest-free loans and grants to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to support the rebuilding of businesses affected by #EndSARS protests.

Access Bank, Nigeria’s largest by customer base, disclosed this via its Twitter handle on Saturday.

The peaceful #EndSARS protests has degenerated into chaos with arson and looting of businesses across the country.

Access Bank said helping businesses recoup their losses was its “responsibility and duty.”

“The events of recent days and weeks have been a difficult period in our country’s history. We have all been anxious, worried, and pained at what we have seen in the media and what we have heard from our customers, our colleagues, and loved ones,” the statement read.

“As one of Nigeria’s largest businesses serving every part of our society, it is our responsibility and duty to make a difference. Corporates cannot simply stand by and send messages of solidarity, and go back to ‘business as usual’ without helping get their customers and communities back on-track.

“Supporting business, large and small, is in our DNA and in recent years we have seen entrepreneurial spirit that filled us with hope and confidence in the future. Our young technology entrepreneurs have been building businesses that are celebrated globally and we have seen SMEs flourish and innovate across the country.

“There has been a setback on this journey and we feel the hurt of our nation. We are committed to restarting businesses quickly but even more importantly to ensure we come out of this stronger and more successful together.”

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

German Consul General Boerner Calls for Greater Media Freedom in Nigeria

German Consul General Boerner stressed media freedom’s importance, noting Nigeria’s 112th press freedom rank and…

2 hours ago

FG Approves 2025-2026 MTEF, Targets N47.9trn For 2025

The Federal Executive Council approved Nigeria’s 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, setting the federal budget at…

4 hours ago

Michael Oglegba: Benue State Is Embracing Mechanisation to Transform Agriculture

Benue State’s Commissioner for Finance has emphasised the need for farming to evolve from a…

4 hours ago

Government Should Conduct Forensic Audit Before Funding Power Sector; NNPC Probe Long Overdue, Says Abdullahi Shinkafi

Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has called for overdue NNPC investigation and forensic audits in the…

7 hours ago

Sudan War Death Toll Significantly Much Higher Than Recorded, Researchers Say

Researchers have suggested Sudan’s war death toll may be significantly underreported, indicating a graver humanitarian…

7 hours ago

Bomb Blast Outside Brazil’s Supreme Court Sparks Security Fears Ahead of G20 Summit

A man detonated explosives near Brazil’s Supreme Court in a suspected suicide bombing, raising concerns…

8 hours ago