Benefits of ESD
The main objective of ESD is to unlock lending to SMEs in corporate value chains. ESD uses non-traditional bank lending solutions to provide financing to Business Banking clients and goes further to capacitate them through our Business Development Support (BDS) framework. In partnership with corporates, we can de-risk lending into the SME sector and use a forward-looking cash-flow-based lending model along with skills development to unlock this opportunity.
Access to finance
SMEs traditionally struggle with access to finance with banks due to inadequate collateral, no financial records or poor credit histories. The lack of funding hampers their ability to execute on provision of goods or services for their clients and further impacts the SME’s growth.
Access to markets
Due to limited networks, SMEs often struggle to have off takers for their goods or services regardless of their quality. Without access to markets for their products and services, it is often difficult for these entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses.
Capacity building
SMEs require the following support- business development, technical and operational support, financial and cash flow management training, general business management support, mentoring, and advisory in order to run sustainable operations.
