1.6 Million Jobs Created As DBN Granted N1.4 trillion Loans-MD

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has said its lending activities have supported the creation of 1.6 million jobs, with total disbursements to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) reaching N1.4 trillion since its establishment in 2015.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Okpanachi, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of the bank’s 2025 financial statement at its 9th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Okpanachi said the bank disbursed over N300 billion to MSMEs in 2025 alone, reaching more than 180,000 businesses nationwide. He added that the bank’s focus goes beyond loan disbursement to ensuring that funds reach intended beneficiaries and translate into measurable business growth and job creation.

He explained that DBN operates an indirect lending model, partnering with commercial and microfinance banks that bear the credit risk and set lending rates for beneficiaries.

According to him, the bank also strengthened its capacity-building initiatives, training more than 48,000 MSMEs in 2025 on best business practices and improving their access to finance.

Okpanachi emphasised that capacity development remains central to DBN’s strategy, noting that equipping small businesses with the right skills is critical for sustainability and long-term growth.

He said the bank remains committed to deepening support for the MSME sector by combining financial assistance with technical knowledge to enhance productivity and economic impact.

Meanwhile, shareholders of the bank approved a dividend payout of N8.5 billion, representing 85 kobo per share. The payout aligns with the bank’s dividend policy, which caps the payout ratio at 25 per cent.