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By Taiwo Babatunde
From deploying SME-focused digital tools to streamlining micro-lending frameworks, Jeanette Uddoh has steadily carved a niche in Nigeria’s banking sector where technology meets inclusion.
With several years of experience as an Innovation Manager and currently serving as a Program Manager at Access Bank, she stands at the intersection of financial technology and small business empowerment, creating solutions that extend beyond traditional banking to enable tangible, measurable growth for entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
In this interview, she reflects on product innovation, the importance of empowering small business owners, and the quiet revolution occurring at the bottom of Nigeria’s economic pyramid.
You’ve been involved extensively in innovation and small business empowerment at Access Bank. What’s been your primary focus this year?
My primary focus has been enabling small businesses not just to survive, but truly scale, providing them with the right tools, information, and financial access. At Access Bank, we’re deeply invested in digital transformation, but what excites me most is leveraging technology to uplift micro and small businesses. From deploying credit scoring models that utilize alternative data to simplifying onboarding processes, especially for women-led enterprises, we’ve been very intentional about promoting inclusion.
This year, we’ve launched several initiatives aimed at reducing paperwork for micro-loans, expanding our mobile banking infrastructure to disadvantaged communities, and providing dedicated support for female entrepreneurs. My role involves bringing these solutions to life through agile product development, user testing, and cross-functional team collaboration.
You have a strong technology background. How does that shape your approach to banking and small business support?
My experience so far has given me a unique perspective. To me, banking isn’t merely about deposits and loans to it’s essential infrastructure for economic mobility and inclusion. Because of my experience in innovation and systems thinking, I naturally focus on scale, automation, and meaningful impact.
When developing products for SMEs, I constantly ask: Can a market woman in Balogun market use this solution without having to read a lengthy manual? Will this tool significantly save time or simplify record-keeping for a tailor in Lagos? Such questions guide everything I do. The goal isn’t flashy features, but practical, user-focused utility.
What’s one product or initiative you’re particularly proud of this year?
Our women-in-business portfolio has seen incredible growth. Earlier this year, we rolled out a comprehensive financial literacy toolkit delivered via mobile to ensure widespread accessibility. But this wasn’t just another app; it included community-based training, mentorship opportunities, and low-interest financing tailored specifically for participants.
The enthusiastic adoption validated my longstanding belief that people don’t inherently resist technology; they resist products that aren’t thoughtfully built for their daily realities. By designing from the grassroots up, we’ve established trust, loyalty, and most importantly, genuine business growth.
What have been some major challenges in innovating for small businesses in Nigeria?
The most significant challenge is misunderstanding the actual user. Innovation often comes from boardrooms, detached from customer realities. To counter this, I’ve strongly advocated for intensive user research, extensive field visits, and rigorous customer feedback loops.
Infrastructure is another considerable challenge. Many small business owners lack consistent internet access, smartphones, or reliable electricity. This forces us to innovate differently, prioritizing USSD-first designs, offline functionality, and community-based educational initiatives.
Interestingly, I see these constraints as creative boundaries as they challenge us to build leaner, smarter, and more meaningful solutions.
You’ve also been part of broader innovation conversations at Access Bank. How do you keep those grounded in the realities of your customers?
By staying close to the field. I regularly take the time to sit down with SME customers, observe their routines, and ask tough questions about what isn’t working for them. These insights guide our internal discussions and shape our product strategies.
Innovation doesn’t start with writing code, it starts with understanding context. If a product doesn’t seamlessly fit into a user’s life, it doesn’t matter how sophisticated it is. This principle is something I consistently emphasize within our teams.
You’ve emphasized the importance of supporting women-led businesses. Why is that a particularly personal area of focus for you?
Because I see their potential every single day. Women across Nigeria are launching businesses under challenging conditions, often without adequate formal support. They are resourceful, adaptable, and community-oriented, but significantly marginalized.
At Access Bank, part of our mission is to close this gap, not only through financial assistance but also with robust education, mentorship, and sustained support systems. For me, it’s more than just economics; it’s deeply personal. I want women entrepreneurs to step confidently into leadership roles and innovate freely without needing constant validation.
Reflecting on your journey so far, what’s been your biggest takeaway from working with small businesses?
My greatest insight is that scale doesn’t always resemble the rapid expansion we associate with Silicon Valley. Sometimes, genuine scale is simply helping a fish seller move from cash-only transactions to mobile payments, dramatically increasing her customer base. Other times, it’s building invisible yet life-changing systems behind the scenes.
What I’ve learned is that major impacts often occur quietly, through small, deliberate interventions. And that’s entirely okay. We just need to continue showing up consistently, listening better, and building products with care and empathy.
What’s next for you?
I’m deeply committed to going further and deeper in this journey. My vision involves building more platforms that genuinely support growth, whether it’s empowering small business owners, championing women leaders, or nurturing future innovators. My mission remains bridging the gap between advanced technology and everyday life.
