Development Bank Trains Enterpreneurs To Improve Access To Opportunities, Funding

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has trained entrepreneurs to improve access to market opportunities and funding to strengthen Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises MSME.

To this end, DBN has graduated 37 entrepreneurs from its Innovation Hub Acceleration Programme in Kaduna, to drive job creation and economic expansion.

Speaking during the graduation, DBN’s Capacity Building Manager, Fortune Tamunokuro Granville, said the initiative was tailored to address one of the major constraints facing small businesses.

“The programme goes beyond training. It prepares entrepreneurs to become investment-ready by strengthening their structures, improving financial literacy and aligning their operations with market realities,” she said.

Granville explained that while DBN does not lend directly to businesses, it plays a catalytic role by de-risking MSME financing through partnerships with financial institutions and by building the capacity of entrepreneurs to absorb credit effectively.

Programme Lead, Rudolf Uji, said the Kaduna Innovation Hub, launched in December 2025, serves as a model for a nationwide network aimed at bridging gaps in enterprise capacity, access to finance and digital readiness among small businesses.

He noted that out of the 40 entrepreneurs admitted into the pioneer cohort in February 2026, 37 completed the intensive programme designed to refine business models and improve bankability.

Kaduna State office manager, Badamasi Barau, called on investors, development partners and private sector players to leverage the emerging pool of trained entrepreneurs for partnerships and business expansion.

He disclosed that the programme received support from the Arab Gulf Fund (AGFund) and other ecosystem partners, enhancing its impact and reach.

Also speaking, Sales Manager at Nigeria Glo Limited, Oshoke Ayodele, said the onboarding of a second cohort reflects growing demand for structured business support and signals DBN’s long-term commitment to enterprise development.

Ayodele further revealed plans to scale the initiative through specialised hubs across key sectors, including manufacturing in Aba, agribusiness in Bauchi and creative industries in Abuja, in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.