DBN Begins Capacity Building For Livestock-focused SMEs, PFIs

The Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) has commenced a nationwide capacity-building training programme for livestock-focused Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) under the World Bank–funded Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (LPRES) Project.

The first phase of the training began in Enugu State, South-East Nigeria, and will be implemented across selected LPRES states in the country’s six geopolitical zones.

According to DBN, the programme is designed to strengthen PFIs’ capacity to develop and refine financial products that address funding gaps in Nigeria’s livestock sector, while also improving the financial readiness of livestock SMEs to access financing and scale their businesses.

The training will also provide a platform for engagement and dialogue between PFIs and livestock enterprises, aimed at improving mutual understanding and collaboration within the sector.

Regional training sessions have been scheduled for Enugu (South-East), Adamawa (North-East), Ondo (South-West/South-South), Kano (North-West), and Kogi (North-Central) to ensure broad national representation.

Participants are expected to include livestock SMEs, PFIs, officials of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, representatives of the LPRES National and State Coordinating Offices, DBN and ICGL staff. DBN said the programme is projected to reach at least 200 PFIs, 300 SMEs, and other key stakeholders nationwide.

Speaking about  the initiative, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DBN, Dr Tony Okpanachi, said the training is aimed at unlocking the potential of livestock enterprises as contributors to economic growth, job creation and food security.

He noted that capacity-building remains critical to the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises, adding that the LPRES SME/PFI Regional Training would enhance business sustainability in the livestock sector and support broader national economic development goals.

Dr. Okpanachi further stated that the programme aligns with Nigeria’s economic development objectives of repositioning the livestock sector to contribute more effectively to growth, employment and food security.

DBN disclosed that outstanding SMEs that demonstrate strong performance during the training sessions may qualify for a World Bank-approved performance-based grant.

The training curriculum was developed by DBN’s Project Implementation Unit and approved by the World Bank. It is designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of PFIs and SMEs to deploy and access appropriate financing tools for livestock value-chain development, which is a core objective of the LPRES Project.