Nigerian Banks Disburse N36.4 Trillion to Trade Sector

In the first nine months of 2025, Nigerian banks disbursed a total of N36.4 trillion in credit to the trade sector, marking a 0.96% increase from N36.05 trillion in the same period of 2024, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria's Q3 2025 statistical bulletin. The data indicates that credit distribution peaked in August 2025 at N5.06 trillion, followed by N4.85 trillion in September and N4.51 trillion in July, contrasting with lower disbursements of N3.48 trillion and N3.54 trillion in January and February 2025.

The average monthly credit distribution for January to September 2025 was N4.04 trillion, slightly higher than the N4.01 trillion average in 2024. Analysts, including Prof. Segun Ajibola and Dr. Chinyere Almona, stress the need for improved credit flow and infrastructure investment to bolster the real sector, especially in light of high interest rates, which are currently pegged at 27.5%.

They advocate for a reduction in borrowing costs to enhance access to loans for businesses, thereby stimulating economic growth.