25/03/2025
FIRST BANK ANNOUNCES AMBITIOUS N1 TRILLION FUNDING FOR NIGERIAN SMEs IN 2025
Get ready for a major boost, Nigerian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)! First Bank has announced its projection to disburse over N1 trillion in funding to SMEs across the nation in 2025 . This landmark announcement, made at the recent SME Scale Up event in Lagos themed ‘Scale Up Your Business, Soar High’, signals a significant commitment to fueling the growth and expansion of this vital sector of our economy.
This substantial financial backing comes at a crucial time, recognizing the pivotal role SMEs play in Nigeria's economic landscape. According to First Bank's Head of SME Banking, Abiodun Famuyiwa, SMEs contribute an impressive 48 to 49 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provide employment for approximately 80 percent of the population. This highlights the immense potential that lies within the SME sector, and First Bank's initiative aims to unlock even greater economic activity and job creation.
This isn't just an empty promise. First Bank has a proven track record of supporting SMEs. In 2024 alone, the bank disbursed over N700 billion to SMEs, demonstrating its existing commitment and infrastructure for reaching these businesses. Notably, this included significant amounts directed towards market men and women (around N100 billion) and traders (between N74 billion and N80 billion), showcasing an effort to support a wide spectrum of SMEs, including those in the informal sector. Furthermore, many of these loans were non-collateralized and offered at competitive interest rates, making financing more accessible to a broader range of entrepreneurs.
The projection of N1 trillion for 2025 represents a significant increase in First Bank's SME funding, indicating a growing recognition of the sector's importance and potential. This increased access to capital could empower SMEs to scale their operations, invest in innovation, and ultimately contribute even more significantly to Nigeria's economic growth. The fact that First Bank was recognized as the Best SME Bank in Nigeria and Africa at the 2025 Asian Banker Awards for the second consecutive year underscores their expertise and dedication to this segment. This consistent recognition provides further confidence in their ability to effectively deploy this substantial funding.
Beyond just providing financial resources, the SME Scale Up event also focused on educating business owners on various aspects of business operations, indicating a holistic approach to supporting SME growth. This suggests that First Bank understands that sustainable growth requires more than just capital infusion; it involves equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the long term.
This development holds immense promise for Nigerian SMEs, offering a significant opportunity to access the funding needed to grow, innovate, and create jobs. We encourage all SME owners and stakeholders to learn more about First Bank's SME funding opportunities and share your thoughts on this exciting development in the comments below! Let's discuss how this initiative can collectively contribute to the prosperity of Nigerian businesses.