Manzini- First Nationa Bank Eswatini ( FNBE) has pledged to strengthen its support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), revealing that businesses can now access funding of up to E1.5 million through its scored lending approach.
Speaking at the Manzini Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held at The George Hotel on Monday, FNB Eswatini CEO Thokozani “TK” Dlamini said the bank was committed to addressing challenges faced by entrepreneurs and ensuring that financial support reaches businesses when they need it most.
Dlamini said engagements held with entrepreneurs through the FNB SME Growth Forums had provided valuable insights into the needs of SMEs, including improved merchant solutions, increased engagement and easier access to financing.
“Through our scored lending approach, we are now able to support our SMEs with funding of up to E1.5 million, ensuring that our entrepreneurs get convenient capital injections to grow their businesses when they need it the most,” he said.
The CEO said the SME Growth Forums were created to give entrepreneurs a platform to directly share their experiences and expectations with the bank, allowing FNB Eswatini to develop solutions that respond to their business needs.
He acknowledged that addressing all SME challenges would not happen overnight but assured business owners that the bank would continue working towards improving its services and bringing support closer to entrepreneurs.
“We won’t get everything right at once. But what we can promise is that we will not stop in our bid to find the right solutions for SMEs in Eswatini,” Dlamini said.
The FNB Eswatini CEO was speaking during the Manzini Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, where the bank partnered with the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade to recognise outstanding entrepreneurs in the region.
Dlamini said the partnership with SEDCO through the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards remained important in connecting the bank with entrepreneurs and supporting their growth journeys.
He said SMEs were central to economic development, adding that the growth of businesses contributes to the growth of the country’s economy.
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