United States Government and FCMB Enter Partnership to Strengthen Nigeria’s Private Health Sector
At a ceremony held at the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Melissa Jones affirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector and private sector resilience with a new partnership agreement.
The Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Yemisi Edun and Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Melissa Jones, during the signing of a partnership agreement to facilitate $10 million in new loans for underserved borrowers, MSMEs in the health sector and informal businesses from all sectors of the economy on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Lagos.
Under the terms of the agreement, USAID and the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will collaborate with FCMB to facilitate $10 million in new loans. The new partnership will assist FCMB to expand access to finance for underserved borrowers, underserved borrowers and MSMEs in the health sector in Nigeria, the health sector, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Nigeria.
“I commend the DFC for its commitment to improving local access to quality healthcare. This partnership will help close the gap in healthcare financing. This means more Nigerians will have access to better healthcare facilities. First City Monument Bank welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with healthcare providers and SMEs nationwide to build a healthier, more productive future for our nation,” said FCMB Managing Director, Mrs Yemisi Edun.
The Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Yemisi Edun and Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Melissa Jones, during the signing of a partnership agreement to facilitate $10 million in new loans for underserved borrowers, MSMEs in the health sector and informal businesses from all sectors of the economy on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Lagos.
“As demonstrated by this partnership, the United States government is eager to continue collaborating with the financial sector to improve access to credit for underserved borrowers, including micro and small and medium enterprises, in the health sector., and thereby stimulate economic growth,” said Mission Director Melissa Jones. “In addition to supporting FCMB's increased lending in the health sector, we are committed to work with FCMB to disburse loans to the agriculture and renewable energy sectors through our existing partnerships.”
From left: Head, International Funding and DFIs, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Olubunmi Smith; Group Head, Business Banking, Mr. George Ogbonnaya; Managing Director of the Bank, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Melissa Jones; Private Enterprise Officer of the Agency, Rose Quispe-Lopez; Deputy Political and Economic Section Chief Economic Officer, United States Consulate General, Lagos, Kenise Hill and Contracting Officer, USAID, Ani Strakosha,, during the signing of a partnership agreement to facilitate $10 million in new loans for underserved borrowers, MSMEs in the health sector and informal businesses from all sectors of the economy on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Lagos.
From left: Head, International Funding and DFIs, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Olubunmi Smith; Group Head, Business Banking, Mr. George Ogbonnaya; Managing Director of the Bank, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Melissa Jones; Director, Relationships, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Christina Cairns and African Investment Adviser, DFC, Michelle Patrick-Akinrinade, during the signing of a partnership agreement to facilitate $10 million in new loans for underserved borrowers, MSMEs in the health sector and informal businesses from all sectors of the economy on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Lagos.
This partnership is intended to boost the following key areas:
Loans in the Healthcare Sector: Loans will be used to support businesses in the following areas: hospitals, health centres, clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, maternal health facilities, procurement of medical equipment, construction and renovation of health facilities.
Loans to SMEs: The bank’s focus will include financial support for working capital, equipment procurement, construction, and restructuring of commercial properties for small and medium sized enterprises.
From left: Group Head, Business Banking, First City Monument Bank (FCMB); Mr. George Ogbonnaya; International Funding Officer, Adebanke Aderogba; Head, International Funding and DFIs, Mrs. Olubunmi Smith; Managing Director of the Bank, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Melissa Jones; ; Private Enterprise Officer of the Agency, Rose Quispe-Lopez; Deputy Political and Economic Section Chief Economic Officer, United States Consulate General, Lagos, Kenise Hill and International Funding Officer, FCMB, Mr. Hakeem Ogunsola, during the signing of a partnership agreement to facilitate $10 million in new loans for underserved borrowers, MSMEs in the health sector and informal businesses from all sectors of the economy on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Lagos.
For more information contact the Development Outreach and Communications Team at Abujadoc@usaid.gov.
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Source: Legit.ng
