Zedvance Targets N500bn Lending To SMEs After N120bn Disbursement In 2025

Zedvance Finance has unveiled plans to deploy N500 billion in financing to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and critical business ecosystem enablers over the next 18 months, following the disbursement of N120 billion in loans in 2025.

The group managing director of Zedcrest Group, parent company of Zedvance, Adedayo Amzat, disclosed this at the Zedvance Business Roundtable in Lagos themed, “Unlocking Growth: The Role of Smart Financing in Building Resilient Businesses.”

Amzat said the company had adopted a strategic shift in its asset deployment by committing its active loan portfolio to SMEs and productive sectors of the economy to address persistent financing challenges facing mid-sized businesses.

According to him, while large corporate transactions often dominate public attention, SMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and require greater access to finance to drive growth and job creation.

He noted that many entrepreneurs continue to face difficulties accessing adequate capital, land and infrastructure needed to expand their operations.

Amzat said Zedvance was addressing these challenges through ecosystem-linked financing solutions that leverage structured partnerships with corporate aggregators to channel liquidity to businesses operating in sectors such as agriculture, automotive distribution and energy.

He explained that the model is designed to strengthen entire business ecosystems, enabling participants to grow collectively while reducing credit risks associated with lending in a volatile environment.

The GMD said the roundtable marked the launch of the company’s aggressive growth strategy aimed at expanding support for corporate and production-focused enterprises.

“Outside of our physical infrastructure, every single item on the asset side of our balance sheet consists of active loans,” he said.

Also speaking, executive director, Commercial Solutions, Zedvance Finance,  Ayooluwa Oladimeji, said the company would deploy N500 billion over the next 18 months to deepen support for growth-ready businesses.

He said business financing generates wider economic benefits by enabling enterprises to increase production, create jobs and expand distribution networks.

Oladimeji added that entrepreneurs could access funding without navigating the lengthy processes often associated with traditional commercial banks.

“As a core member of the Zedcrest Group, we possess access to deep, continuous local and international financing lines. Our primary task is simply to design the right credit frameworks; the capital is ready for deployment,” he said.

The roundtable featured three panel discussions focusing on food and health systems, energy, and the broader economic policy environment.