600m Businesses Identified Through Data Universal Numbering System

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Nigeria says more than 600 million businesses worldwide are now recognised and verified through the DUNS Number, reinforcing its status as a global standard for business identity, credibility, and cross-border commerce.

Senior manager of Customer Success & Engagement at Dun & Bradstreet Nigeria, Atinuke Williams, noted that from multinational corporations to emerging enterprises, the nine-digit identifier has become essential for proving legitimacy and accessing financing, with over 90 per cent of Fortune 500 companies relying on the system.

“The DUNS Number — short for ­Data Universal Numbering System — assigns each business a unique global identity, enabling companies to distinguish themselves, build trust with partners and access international opportunities,” she said. “For many organisations, the number has become critical to securing investment, strengthening reputation and participating in global supply chains.”

Williams added that in Nigeria, Dun & Bradstreet Nigeria remains the only authorised provider of the DUNS Number, connecting local companies to a global network of verified enterprises.

She said the identifier has evolved beyond a simple listing tool into a gateway to a data-driven ecosystem where trust underpins growth. “Companies with a DUNS Number benefit from enhanced visibility and credibility, especially when engaging international partners.”

Beyond issuing the identifier, the company also offers a suite of business intelligence and analytics solutions designed to help organisations grow securely and manage risk.
These include the DUNS Registered Seal (DRS), which enables verified businesses to display the DUNS Registered badge; Vend-R, a vendor risk-management solution for assessing and monitoring third-party exposure; Finance Analytics for enhanced lending and investment decisions; and Risk Analytics for identifying and mitigating risks.

It also provides ESG Registered, which helps firms demonstrate their environmental, social and governance performance, as well as Dun & Bradstreet’s Hoovers. This sales intelligence platform provides access to millions of company profiles and offers valuable insights into key decision-makers.

With one of the world’s largest commercial data networks and a presence across every continent, Dun & Bradstreet says it continues to equip businesses to compete globally with confidence through trusted insights and decision-support tools.