By: ThinkBusiness Africa
The Nigerian government-owned development finance institution, Bank of Industry (BOI) has reported a historic N636 billion disbursement to more than 7,000 Nigerian enterprises in 2025, marking the highest annual outlay in the institution’s history.
The performance, described by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, as a “power extended to communities, and businesses strengthened,” represents a strategic shift toward high-impact sectors and financial inclusion for the nation’s smallest businesses. President Tinubu noted in a post X.
Data from the 2025 financial report highlights a strategic distribution of capital across Nigeria’s most critical economic pillars, with Agro-allied enterprises receiving the lion’s share of funding at N202 billion.
This investment was specifically targeted at food security, evidenced by major capacity upgrades like the tomato processing expansion from 3.1 to 10 metric tonnes per hour.
Following closely was the Infrastructure sector, which secured N100 billion to bolster essential services including broadband, aviation, and the deployment of 100 mini-grids to improve power access.
The manufacturing and extractive industries also saw substantial support, receiving N79 billion and N77 billion respectively. While the manufacturing funds were directed toward local production and reducing import dependency, the extractive sector investment focused on increasing value-addition for solid minerals.
Rounding out the primary allocations, the Services sector was granted N55 billion, providing a necessary boost to the ICT and creative economies.
Small & Medium Enterprises gains
A standout feature of the 2025 report is the bank’s success in reaching micro and nano-scale businesses, which are often excluded from traditional commercial banking.
While large enterprises received the largest volume, the sheer number of smaller beneficiaries underscores a push for grassroots economic stability.
- Large Enterprises: N375 Billion
- SMEs: N178 Billion
- Nano Enterprises: N51 Billion
- Micro Businesses: N32 Billion
The Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme alone reached 957,400 beneficiaries, providing a vital safety net and growth capital for the nation’s smallest traders.
Beyond the balance sheet, the BOI’s 2025 activities have been a major driver of employment. The bank reports that its interventions led to the creation and retention of 1.6 million jobs.
“In a challenging global environment, Nigeria chose reform, discipline, and productive investment,” President Bola Tinubu noted.
Despite the aggressive lending, the BOI maintained exceptional asset quality, reporting a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio below 1.5%, significantly lower than the industry average.
