FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial services institution and a leader in financial inclusion, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable finance by strengthening its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
This renewed commitment was prominently demonstrated at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held recently in Seville, Spain, by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
Bringing together global policymakers, private sector leaders, and development stakeholders, the FfD4 conference focused on finding innovative ways to bridge the growing global financing gap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly in underserved and fragile regions.
Representing FirstBank at the event, Patrick Akhidenor, the bank’s chief risk officer, spotlighted two flagship initiatives that exemplify FirstBank’s leadership in resilience and inclusive finance:
- The Solar Equipment Financing Initiative, which enables individuals and businesses to purchase and install solar systems through flexible financing, promoting clean, affordable, and sustainable energy access.
- The revamped FirstGem Fund, a women-centered funding programme offering collateral-free loans at single-digit interest rates, designed to support female entrepreneurs and close gender funding gaps in vital sectors.
“We are deeply committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital that fuels inclusive development,” said Akhidenor.
“Our partnership with UNGC and our active participation at FfD4 signal our resolve to deliver practical, impact-driven financial solutions that align with Nigeria’s—and Africa’s—development priorities.”
Mobilising Capital through Innovation and Inclusion
The importance of FirstBank’s work was echoed by Sanda Ojambo, CEO of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), who called for scalable financial innovations tailored to the needs of vulnerable regions.
“The private sector must be at the heart of shaping bold, fit-for-purpose finance models,” Ojambo noted.
“Tools like blended finance and de-risking strategies are critical to unlocking private capital and driving measurable impact.”
Empowering SMEs, Driving Development
FirstBank’s dedication to sustainable finance goes beyond funding products. Through strategic partnerships with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and its robust SMEConnect platform, the bank delivers training, networking opportunities, and targeted financing for small businesses across key sectors such as education, healthcare, retail, and agriculture.
By combining innovative finance with inclusive outreach, FirstBank continues to position itself as a key player in Africa’s sustainable development journey, proving that banks can be engines of not just economic growth, but long-term societal progress.
