AFD – Development Bank of Nigeria Partnership for Financing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria

The AFD-Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) program for financing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) aims to improve access to credit for Nigerian businesses by leveraging an AFD financing line for the benefit of the DBN, which then refinances local financial institutions responsible for granting loans to businesses. The €50 million facility granted in 2024 is an extension of the existing financial partnership between the AFD and the DBN, established in 2019 to support MSME financing in Nigeria. This new financing builds on this existing framework and places particular emphasis on supporting women-led businesses and strengthening access to finance for small enterprises.

💰 Improving access to finance:
Strengthening access to credit for Nigerian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those with limited access to traditional banking services.

👩‍💼 Promoting women's entrepreneurship:
Fostering the development of women-led businesses and reducing the financing gap between male and female entrepreneurs.

📈 Supporting economic growth and employment:
Stimulating job creation and economic growth through the development of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

🏦 Strengthening the financial system:
Improving the capacity of financial institutions to sustainably finance MSMEs through training programs, technical assistance, and gender mainstreaming.