The International Workspace Group (IWG) has entered into a partnership with the Alternative Bank to improve access to affordable office solutions and support business growth for startups in Nigeria.
Partnership Announcement in Abuja
Speaking at the launch of a flexible workspace facility in Gwarimpa, Abuja, the Country Manager of IWG Nigeria, Ayo Akinmade, described the Alternative Bank as a long-term strategic partner. He noted that both organizations are working together to provide affordable and accessible office solutions near the bank's branches across the country.
According to Akinmade, the Gwarimpa location is one of several projects executed in partnership with the bank, following earlier openings in Lagos last year. He disclosed that the collaboration would further expand to other cities, including Jos and Maiduguri, in the coming months.
Model for Entrepreneurs and Startups
Akinmade explained that the model allows entrepreneurs, startups, and professionals to access fully serviced office spaces while also creating a pipeline of potential customers for the Alternative Bank. “Our strategy is simple. We partner with Alternative Bank in locations where they already have branches and provide office spaces around those branches. The objective is twofold: to create workspaces customers can use and to help those users naturally become customers of the bank,” he said.
He noted that the Alternative Bank distinguishes itself through non-traditional financing models and investments in sectors such as education, automobile financing, and electric vehicles. While stressing that IWG is not a financial institution, Akinmade said the company’s focus remains on delivering flexible and affordable office solutions that reduce the burden of operating costs for businesses.
“We are an office provider. What people like about our services is that they are affordable and flexible. Customers only need to pay monthly instead of making huge advance payments, and they can focus on their businesses without worrying about electricity, internet, or office maintenance,” he stated.
Expansion and Long-Term Vision
The IWG Nigeria boss revealed that the newly launched center is the company’s seventh location in Abuja, with existing operations spread across areas such as Central Area, Maitama, Garki, and Jabi. He added that the Gwarimpa facility would undergo further upgrades over the next 60 days to transform it into a fully equipped professional workspace complete with internet services, meeting rooms, tea and coffee stations, and modern office furniture.
According to him, the company is investing with a long-term outlook and intends to remain in every location for at least a decade. “We are long-term players. When we set up a location, we are thinking of a minimum of 10 years. We are investing to support economic growth and help businesses scale gradually,” he said.
Supporting Side Hustles and Startups
Akinmade also highlighted the role of flexible workspaces in supporting side businesses and startups, noting that many professionals now seek affordable spaces to test business ideas without committing to heavy operational costs. “For some people, it starts as a side hustle. They take a small office and eventually grow into bigger spaces. We are creating an environment that supports that journey,” he added.
Alternative Bank's Perspective
Also speaking, the Strategy Officer of the Alternative Bank, Olatoyosi Kola Idowu, disclosed that the partnership is aimed at bringing financial and business support services closer to customers. According to Idowu, the initiative was designed to make services more accessible by taking them directly into communities and creating environments where entrepreneurs, professionals, and young people can easily connect, network, and access financial support.
She noted that many Nigerians often see such opportunities as out of reach, stressing that the idea was to simplify access by providing workspaces, meeting rooms, and financial services within reach of customers’ daily lives. According to her, the project is also targeted at empowering young people by exposing them to environments that encourage wealth creation, innovation, and enterprise development.
Financial Inclusion and Community Needs
Idowu emphasized the importance of partnerships in expanding financial inclusion, saying that despite the increasing number of financial institutions, many Nigerians still remain underserved. She explained that understanding the peculiar needs of different communities and addressing barriers to access were critical to building trust and delivering effective financial solutions.
She added that the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to going beyond conventional banking by supporting customers’ lifestyles and aspirations. “We are beyond just providing financial services. We are concerned about what our customers want to achieve and how we can help them get there,” she said.
