DBN Launches DAWN Initiative and MSME Data Assets

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Plc launched DAWN: DBN Action for Women in Nigeria, unveiled its DBN Impact Report, and presented the DBN MSME Data Assets at the seventh edition of its Annual Lecture on October 28, 2026, held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Themed ‘From Policy to Prosperity: Translating Economic Reforms into MSME Growth’, the lecture gathered government officials, regulators, development partners, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs to discuss how national economic reforms can benefit micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/CEO of DBN, emphasized the importance of ensuring that the benefits of reforms reach businesses. He noted that MSMEs contribute nearly half of Nigeria’s GDP and create over 80% of jobs.

As of December 2025, DBN had disbursed N1.4 trillion to MSMEs through 84 Participating Financial Institutions, creating approximately 1.6 million jobs. The Bank aims to reach over two million MSMEs under its new five-year strategy, focusing on women-led and youth-led businesses.