The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has crossed a major financing milestone after disbursing more than N1 trillion to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s leading development finance institutions focused on business growth and job creation.
The achievement comes nearly a decade after the bank commenced operations, with over one million MSMEs reportedly benefiting from its intervention programmes. The financing support has also contributed to the creation of more than 1.6 million jobs across multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The latest figures were disclosed during a media briefing in Lagos, where the bank outlined its performance record and unveiled fresh growth targets aimed at expanding financial inclusion and increasing access to credit for underserved businesses.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that DBN plans to significantly deepen its impact over the next five years by increasing lending activities, expanding guarantee programmes and mobilising additional capital to support entrepreneurs across the country.
As part of its new strategic roadmap, the development finance institution is targeting an outstanding loan portfolio of N1 trillion while seeking to issue up to N500 billion in credit guarantees designed to improve access to finance for small businesses that often struggle to secure conventional bank loans.
The bank also intends to support more than two million MSMEs and facilitate the creation of two million direct and indirect jobs during the implementation period of its latest strategy, reflecting growing efforts to strengthen enterprise development and economic participation.
To fund its expansion plans, DBN is seeking to mobilise approximately N1.3 trillion through a combination of debt and equity financing. The additional capital is expected to strengthen the institution’s capacity to provide long-term funding and broaden its developmental reach across strategic sectors of the economy.
Since its establishment, DBN has relied on a network of participating financial institutions to channel funding to businesses. The network currently includes commercial banks, microfinance banks, merchant banks and other financial institutions operating across Nigeria.
The bank’s latest impact data also highlights its focus on inclusive financing. Women-owned enterprises accounted for the majority of businesses supported through its programmes, while a substantial number of youth-led businesses also received funding assistance.
Beyond supporting businesses in major commercial centres, DBN has continued to expand lending activities in economically disadvantaged and security-challenged regions. Significant financing has been directed towards MSMEs operating in states affected by conflict and economic vulnerability, helping entrepreneurs maintain operations and create employment opportunities.
In 2025 alone, the institution disbursed hundreds of billions of naira to businesses across the country while expanding its network of participating financial institutions to improve nationwide coverage and accessibility.
Its subsidiary, the Impact Credit Guarantee Limited (ICGL), has also played a growing role in strengthening access to finance by providing guarantees that reduce lending risks for financial institutions. Through the programme, thousands of businesses have secured financing support that may otherwise have been difficult to obtain.
The guarantee scheme has facilitated hundreds of billions of naira in loans while supporting tens of thousands of MSMEs and smaller corporate organisations. The initiative has also contributed to job retention and business sustainability in several sectors.
Looking ahead, DBN plans to allocate a larger share of future financing to women-led enterprises, youth-owned businesses and firms operating in underdeveloped regions as part of efforts to close financing gaps and promote inclusive economic growth.
The latest expansion targets build on recent funding initiatives undertaken by the bank, including the securing of international financing support aimed at increasing affordable credit access for women-owned and women-led businesses across Nigeria. The strategy underscores DBN’s long-term commitment to strengthening the MSME ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic development through improved access to finance.
