By George OPARA
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Plc has disbursed more than ₦1 trillion to over one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to create over 1.6 million jobs since inception in 2017.
In a media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, DBN Managing Director, Dr Tony Okpanachi, said the development finance institution has made significant progress in solving the financing setbacks faced by small businesses considered a key stimulator of Nigeria’s economy.
With a blueprint to enhance access to finance for MSMEs, DBN provides long-term funding, credit guarantees and capacity-building support through participating financial institutions.
Okpanachi explained that the bank has built a network of 84 participating institutions, including commercial banks, microfinance banks and development finance institutions, enabling it to reach businesses across the country.
Also, the bank has unveiled an ambitious five-year growth strategy to expand its developmental impact. DBN is targeting an outstanding loan portfolio of ₦1 trillion, plans to issue ₦500 billion in credit guarantees, and seeks to support more than two million MSMEs while facilitating the creation of two million direct and indirect jobs.
“Our strategic intent is to achieve greater scale by expanding support for MSMEs and strengthening inclusive economic growth”, Okpanachi said.
Also, the bank plans to mobilise ₦1.3 trillion in debt and equity capital over the next five years to broaden access to finance and deepen support for underserved sectors.
DBN’s impact has been notable among women and young entrepreneurs. Women-owned businesses account for 77 percent of beneficiaries as youth-led enterprises represent 28 percent. The bank has also disbursed ₦108 billion to more than 132,000 MSMEs in conflict-affected and economically disadvantaged states, including Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara.
In 2025 alone, DBN has disbursed over ₦358 billion to more than 289,000 MSMEs, reinforcing its role as a key catalyst for enterprise growth and financial inclusion in the country.
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