GTI Microfinance Bank has unveiled SAHA+, a digital banking application designed to provide seamless access to credit, savings, and other financial services for Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which continue to face structural challenges in accessing reliable financing.
Hauwa Haruna-Sheidi, the managing director of GTI Microfinance Bank, who disclosed this at the launch event in Lagos, said SAHA+ was developed to address the daily financial needs of entrepreneurs and business owners, while also simplifying personal banking for individuals.
Haruna-Sheidi noted that the new platform marks a significant milestone in the bank’s efforts to empower Nigeria’s SME sector. “SMEs are the backbone of our economy, but their growth is often stifled by limited access to credit and cumbersome banking processes. With SAHA+, we are breaking these barriers by offering a tool that puts financing, savings, and business support directly in the hands of entrepreneurs,” Haruna-Sheidi said.
The app, according to her, integrates features such as easy savings, swift transfers, access to loans, and spending insights, to help entrepreneurs manage their operations more effectively. “Financial support is now just a few taps away, enabling SMEs to meet urgent needs and seize opportunities in real time,” she added.
Since its establishment in 2007, GTI Microfinance Bank, a subsidiary of the GTI Group and licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, has positioned itself as a growth partner for individuals and small businesses.
Haruna-Sheidi stressed that the launch of SAHA+, reflects the bank’s digital pivot to meet the changing financial habits of Nigerians, particularly in a post-pandemic environment where digital solutions are becoming essential.
Access to finance remains a top constraint for Nigerian SMEs, despite contributing more than 40 percent of the nation’s GDP. By offering tools that merge convenience, security, and affordability, SAHA+ could position GTI Microfinance Bank as a key player in bridging the SME finance gap.
Haruna-Sheidi emphasised that SAHA+ is part of the bank’s broader mission to drive financial inclusion and economic growth. “We believe that by empowering SMEs with the right financial tools, we are not just supporting businesses but also stimulating job creation and community development,” she said.
Nnamdi Obi, the head of technology at GTI Group, explained that SAHA+ was designed not only as a transactional platform but as a financial partner that grows with businesses. “We make it personal. Entrepreneurs can interact directly with us on the app, allowing us to create customised financial solutions that meet them at the point of need,” Obi said.
Obi added that the app enables SMEs to lock funds securely for specific business goals while earning returns, as well as to track expenditure patterns that encourage financial discipline. “Our vision is to ensure that no business is left behind in Nigeria’s digital financial landscape,” he added.
