The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has secured a €200 million financing facility from the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) development arm, EIB Global, in a move aimed at expanding access to funding for small businesses and accelerating investments in Nigeria’s green and digital economy.
The agreement, signed on Thursday in Abuja, will channel long-term financing to local financial institutions for onward lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-sized companies operating in sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, digitalisation and innovation.
The facility comes as Nigeria seeks to stimulate private-sector growth, strengthen food security, expand clean energy access and deepen digital transformation amid mounting economic pressures and financing constraints facing smaller businesses.
The investment programme is expected to support small-scale investments across the country, helping businesses gain access to finance while creating jobs and strengthening economic resilience. It also aligns with EIB Global’s strategy under the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative to promote sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth in partner countries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambroise Fayolle, EIB Vice-President said the financing demonstrates the institution’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s private sector while advancing climate and digital development goals.
