Orange Corners Nigeria has partnered with Stanbic IBTC Bank to support young entrepreneurs in the country.
Orange Corners Nigeria is an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands implemented locally by the Fate Foundation. The foundation announced its partnership with Stanbic IBTC Bank during a recent ceremony held in Lagos.
According to a statement, Fate Foundation’s partnership with the bank aims to deepen access to funding, mentorship, and training for youth-led businesses in Nigeria.
Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Wole Adeniyi, said the bank was committed to nurturing young entrepreneurs.
“We are going to help catalyse more entrepreneurs and also help the youth. It goes with what we are doing with SME businesses,” Adeniyi stated. “We are going to be able to scale more, empower them more, and also provide access to financing that will help to support the economy.”
According to the statement, Orange Corners Nigeria, since it launched in 2019, has operated as a business incubator and innovation fund, supporting aspiring entrepreneurs with business training, mentorship, and access to networks.
Meanwhile, the Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, described the initiative as a symbol of trust in Nigeria’s youth. He stated that “Orange Corners is the expression of our belief in the youth of Nigeria. From inception, the plan was to do this together with the private sector, and we are very pleased to have found a partner in Stanbic IBTC.”
Further, the Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, said the collaboration with Stanbic IBTC would scale the programme’s reach and deepen its impact.
“We’re excited to partner with Stanbic IBTC to advance Orange Corners Nigeria’s mission of fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, where young people can turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses,” Adeyemi remarked.
She added that the new partnership would allow for “more comprehensive support, mentorship, and opportunities for growth, ultimately driving innovation and job creation in Nigeria.”
The Ambassador for Youth, Education and Employment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, Jurriaan Middelholf, also attended the event, alongside representatives from FATE Foundation, Stanbic IBTC, and the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Some current incubates and alumni of the Orange Corners Nigeria programme shared their experiences at the event, highlighting the impact of the initiative on their businesses and the challenges they continue to face.
