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Over 132,000 MSMEs in Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, Yobe, Zamfara Access N108bn DBN Loans
More than 132,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara States have accessed over N108 billion in financing from the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), highlighting the institution’s growing role in supporting businesses in economically disadvantaged regions.
The bank disclosed this in a review of its operations as of December 2025, noting that the intervention formed part of its broader efforts to improve access to finance and stimulate economic activities in underserved areas.
Speaking in Lagos, the Managing Director of DBN, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, said the bank has disbursed more than N1 trillion to MSMEs nationwide through participating financial institutions since it commenced operations in 2017.
According to him, the N108 billion extended to businesses in Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara was aimed at strengthening enterprise growth, supporting livelihoods and fostering economic resilience in states facing varying development challenges.
The review showed that DBN has facilitated over one million end-beneficiary loans through a network of 84 participating financial institutions, including deposit money banks, microfinance banks, merchant banks and other financial intermediaries.
Women accounted for 77 per cent of beneficiaries, while youths represented 28 per cent, underscoring the bank’s focus on inclusive financing and economic empowerment.
Beyond credit support, DBN said it has trained more than 52,000 MSMEs nationwide to enhance business management skills and improve enterprise sustainability. The bank also developed a Learning Management System to expand access to entrepreneurship and financial literacy programmes.
According to the institution, its interventions have contributed to the creation of more than 1.6 million jobs across the country since inception, while over 20 participating financial institutions have benefited from technical assistance programmes designed to strengthen lending operations and institutional capacity.
The bank further disclosed that it has issued more than N512 billion in credit guarantees to over 100,000 MSMEs since 2019, helping to reduce lending risks and encourage increased financing to small businesses.
For the 2025 financial year, DBN reported that it disbursed over N358 billion to businesses nationwide, resulting in more than 289,000 end-beneficiary loans.
Within the same period, the bank channelled N59 billion to more than 63,000 MSMEs in economically disadvantaged states, while its interventions supported the creation of over 376,000 jobs.
DBN said the performance reflects its commitment to narrowing the financing gap faced by MSMEs, particularly in underserved regions, while promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation across Nigeria.