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.”