Access Bank’s $30 Million Loan Aims to Boost Nigeria’s SME Sector

Access Bank’s $30 Million Loan Aims to Boost Nigeria’s SME Sector

By Staff Writer, 19 July 2024

Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, has secured a $30 million loan from Swedfund, the Swedish development finance institution, to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country. This loan is part of a larger $295 million syndicate led by FMO, the Dutch development bank.

Kitanha Toure, Swedfund’s Regional Director for West Africa, stated, "Access Bank’s strong market presence and commitment to SMEs makes them a valuable partner in reaching businesses that need financing."

Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank Plc, emphasized the loan's importance at a signing ceremony in The Hague, Netherlands. "This facility strengthens our capacity while bolstering Africa’s trade potential," he said. "We aim to leverage these funds to stimulate growth across various sectors, create jobs, and expand financial inclusion."

This marks the third collaboration between FMO and Access Bank, reflecting their shared commitment to boosting Nigeria’s economy and fostering job creation.

Source: Empower Africa

Related Report

Investing in Egypt’s Startup Ecosystem

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises contribute over 40% to Egypt’s economy, and account for over 75% of the country’s total employment. Entrepreneurship is critical to Egypt’s future. Today, Egypt consistently ranks as a top 3 tech startup ecosystem in both the MENA and Africa regions, based on funds raised by local startups. In this special report, we speak to the most active investors in Egypt and cover some of the country’s most successful startups to give you an inside scoop on how they are navigating the current VC winter, inflationary pressures and currency devaluation woes.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest news, special reports, videos, infobytes, and features on the region's most notable entrepreneurial ecosystems