DBN Disburses Over N1 Trillion to MSMEs Since 2017

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has announced the disbursement of over N1 trillion to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) since it began operations in 2017. Dr.

Toni Okpanachi, the Managing Director of DBN, revealed this during a presentation in Lagos. The bank collaborates with 84 participating financial institutions, including deposit money banks and microfinance banks, to facilitate loans.

Women represent 77% of the beneficiaries, while youth account for 28%. The bank has also disbursed N108 billion to 132,000 MSMEs in economically disadvantaged states such as Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, Yobe, and Zamfara.

DBN has trained 52,000 MSMEs and contributed to the creation of 1.6 million jobs. In the 2025 financial year, DBN reported onboarding five additional financial institutions and disbursing N358 billion, benefiting 289,000 end beneficiaries.

The bank aims to mobilize N1.3 trillion in new debt and equity capital and plans to support 30% of loans to youth-led businesses and 40% to women-led enterprises.