FirstBank has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact to drive sustainable finance and unlock capital for development.

In a statement on Thursday, the lender said that its ongoing partnership was reinforced at the recently concluded Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in Seville, Spain.

The FfD4 Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and private sector experts to discuss innovative solutions to address the growing SDG financing gap and unlock capital for development in fragile and underserved regions.

FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer, Patrick Akhidenor, who represented the bank at the conference, highlighted two flagship initiatives driving resilience finance in Nigeria: the Solar Equipment Financing initiative and the revamped FirstGem Fund.

He said, “We are committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development. Our partnership with UNGC and participation in the FfD4 Conference demonstrate our dedication to innovative finance solutions that address the SDG financing gap.”

Chief Executive Officer of UNGC, Sanda Ojambo, emphasised the need for innovative, inclusive financial models for underserved regions.

“The private sector must play a central role in shaping fit-for-purpose, scalable finance solutions. De-risking tools and blended finance can help unlock capital and drive meaningful impact,” Ojambo said.

FirstBank’s partnership with Development Finance Institutions and its SMEConnect hub demonstrates its capacity to lead efforts in sustainable finance. The bank provides training, networking, and tailored financing to SMEs across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and retail.