Zenith Bank Ghana CEO highlights SME support, digital banking as bank celebrates 21 years

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Ghana, Henry Chinedu Onwuzurigbo, has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expanding financial inclusion, and strengthening customer-focused banking as the institution marks 21 years of operations in Ghana.

Speaking at the bank’s 21st anniversary health walk, Mr Onwuzurigbo said the bank’s growth had been driven by strategic decisions, innovation, and its ability to adapt to changing conditions in the financial services industry. He noted that the bank had maintained its growth trajectory despite pressures in the banking sector by moving beyond traditional banking practices and focusing more on core lending, business development, and meeting the evolving needs of customers. “Whether you like it or not, banks have started doing banking nowadays. Before, we just sat down, carried money, put it in treasury bills and declared good profits. Now, if you fail to do banking, you are not going to make profits,” he said. Mr Onwuzurigbo described the milestone as a celebration of 21 years of “trust, resilience, innovation, and service excellence”, while expressing gratitude to customers, business partners, and key stakeholders—including representatives of the Ghana Wheelchair Tennis Association who joined the walk.

The CEO identified SME development as a major priority, describing small businesses as the engine of economic growth. He challenged the perception that banks were reluctant to support smaller businesses, saying Zenith Bank had introduced tailored products and services to make financing more accessible. Beyond providing credit, he noted that the bank assists entrepreneurs with business structuring, financial management, and monitoring to build sustainable enterprises. “We will help you to structure your businesses. We will help you to produce your finances. We will help you to tell you how to monitor your business,” he said. Mr Onwuzurigbo encouraged business owners with bankable projects to approach their relationship managers, branch heads, and sector heads for assistance. “Once it’s bankable, bring it to us. We will ensure that we support you. That is what banks are supposed to do. Call it financial intermediation, and that is where we stand,” he added.

Addressing the changing expectations of customers, particularly younger consumers, Mr Onwuzurigbo highlighted the recently launched Zenith virtual card, internet banking, and other digital solutions designed for convenience and speed. He also urged customers to embrace GhanaPay, a shared digital payment platform introduced through the Ghana Association of Banks, as a cost-effective transaction option. To support financial inclusion in areas where physical branches are less accessible, he pointed to the bank’s expanding agency banking network, which brings services directly into local communities. “We are here to serve you. We are here to ensure that you operate in your best interest,” he said.

The 21st anniversary health walk combined physical fitness and networking with an interactive exhibition featuring local SMEs and vehicle manufacturing companies. Mr. Onwuzurigbo encouraged participants to engage with the exhibiting vendors, revealing that several participating companies were offering exclusive discounts to attendees. Looking ahead, he named people, technology, and service as the three core pillars guiding Zenith Bank Ghana’s next phase of development and community investment.