The managing director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Abba Bello, has disclosed that the Bank will soon commence the on-boarding of its small and medium enterprise (SME) clients on the African Trade Gateway (ATG) as part of efforts to enhance their market access, strengthen payment systems, and deepen intra-African trade.
Bello made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the SME Export Finance Sensitization Forum (EXCEL Programme)—the Abuja edition jointly organised by NEXIM Bank and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under its Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development (SEDIN) Programme.
The NEXIM Bank boss said the move aligned with the bank’s ongoing drive to position Nigerian MSMEs for competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that access to markets and finance remain critical to unlocking the country’s non-oil export potential.
“We are getting set to begin the on-boarding of our SME clients on the African Trade Gateway (ATG) to enhance their market access, improve payment systems and deepen intra-Africa trade,” Bello stated.
He explained that the EXCEL Programme was conceived to address long-standing challenges facing Nigerian MSMEs—particularly limited access to finance, infrastructure deficits, and regulatory bottlenecks that have constrained their capacity to export competitively.
According to him, the initiative seeks to identify and support export-ready MSME clusters across Nigeria through a structured, digitally enabled framework that combines training, advisory support, and tailored financing instruments.
“The EXCEL Programme is a strategic initiative designed to identify and support export-ready MSME clusters across Nigeria. Through targeted training and access to tailored financial products, we are empowering MSMEs to scale and compete effectively in international markets,” he said.
Bello highlighted the significance of MSMEs to Nigeria’s economy, noting that the country is home to over 41 million MSMEs, representing 96.9 per cent of registered businesses, contributing 48 per cent to GDP, and employing over 87 per cent of the workforce. Despite these contributions, he said more than half of MSMEs face severe financing gaps that hinder growth and export readiness.
“Globally, export financing is a key driver of economic growth, yet Nigeria’s exports of goods and services account for only about 7.64 percent of GDP. This underscores the immense untapped potential within our MSME export sector,” he added.
The NEXIM Bank chief also highlighted the bank’s range of financing and digital solutions, including the SME Export Facility (SMEEF), Women and Youth Export Facility (WAYEF), and the NEXA digital platform, which provide MSMEs with access to export financing, trade information, and financial management tools.
Commending the partnership with GIZ, Bello noted that the collaboration reflects a shared vision for inclusive economic growth and private sector resilience.
“Our partnership with GIZ is built on shared values and a commitment to inclusive growth. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and competitive export ecosystem,” he said.
Dr. Didier Djoumessi who represented GIZ Nigeria at the event commended NEXIM Bank’s leadership in promoting non-oil exports and strengthening MSME competitiveness. He described the sensitization series as a practical demonstration of both institutions’ shared commitment to supporting small businesses with the capacity and resources to thrive in global markets.
“Under the leadership of Abba Bello, NEXIM Bank has continued to champion Nigeria’s non-oil export agenda. We at GIZ Nigeria are pleased to support this important initiative and to collaborate with NEXIM in advancing opportunities for MSMEs,” he said.
Djoumesai revealed that the sensitization series would continue in Edo, Plateau, and Lagos States in the coming weeks, targeting MSME clusters across key economic regions.
He explained that the SEDIN Programme, under which GIZ’s partnership with NEXIM is anchored, focuses on five key components: Access to Finance, Access to Markets, Business Enabling Environment, Infrastructure, and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem — all aimed at creating decent employment and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.
“With the right combination of finance, capacity building, and market access, Nigeria’s MSMEs can seize opportunities under the AfCFTA and beyond,” Djoumesai said.
He noted that GIZ, which has operated in Nigeria for over five decades on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), remains committed to promoting inclusive economic growth through partnerships that strengthen local industries and empower entrepreneurs.
Djoumesai urged participants to take advantage of the forum by engaging actively and exploring how the presented financing tools, digital platforms, and policy support can help them expand into regional and global markets.
“Together, through initiatives like this one, we can build an inclusive, export-ready MSME sector that makes meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s diversification agenda and long-term growth,” he emphasised.
With the rollout of the African Trade Gateway and the EXCEL Programme, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to driving a more competitive, inclusive, and export-oriented SME ecosystem capable of propelling Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation.
