June 4 (THEWILL) — The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Plc has disbursed more than ₦1 trillion to over one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), helping to create over 1.6 million jobs since it began operations in 2017.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, DBN Managing Director, Dr Tony Okpanachi, said the development finance institution has made significant progress in addressing the financing challenges faced by small businesses, which remain a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy.
Established to improve access to finance for MSMEs, DBN provides long-term funding, credit guarantees and capacity-building support through participating financial institutions. According to Okpanachi, 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.
Looking ahead, 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.
The bank also 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 particularly notable among women and young entrepreneurs. Women-owned businesses account for 77 percent of beneficiaries, while 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 Nigeria.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
