On Wednesday, the Bank of Industry (BoI) revealed that it disbursed N636 billion to upwards of 7,000 enterprises in sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, MSMEs, infrastructure, power, ICT, and the creative industries throughout 2025.
This achievement is touted as the highest annual disbursement in BoI's history, solidifying its role as Nigeria’s leading development finance institution aimed at promoting industrial and economic growth.
As outlined in the bank’s 2025 Impact Report, the sector-wise breakdown of the allocations includes N202 billion earmarked for agro-allied businesses, N100 billion directed to infrastructure projects, N79 billion for manufacturing, N77 billion for extractive industries, and N55 billion for services.
The disbursement figures were bolstered by a €2 billion syndicated finance package acquired at the end of 2024, along with N200 billion in loans and grants for MSMEs provided by the federal government, as well as an additional €210 million raised in 2025 from international partners, the bank clarified.
Furthermore, BoI allocated N73 billion in managed and matching funds for various states and institutional partners.
Reflecting on these results, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of BoI, Olasupo Olusi, expressed, "Reaching over N600 billion in loans disbursed to our clients in 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the Bank of Industry, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision for driving industrialization, economic diversification, and inclusive growth throughout Nigeria."
He reiterated, "In addition to this landmark figure, our accomplishments this year highlight BOI’s unwavering commitment to empowering businesses, generating employment, and reinforcing the nation’s industrial foundation, producing measurable impacts congruent with national development goals."
According to a statement from Theodora Amechi, Divisional Head of Public Relations at BoI, this performance illustrates the bank's strategic transition towards scaling operations under its 2025-2027 transformation agenda, which emphasizes strengthening its balance sheet, securing long-term capital, improving operational efficiency, and aligning financing with national economic priorities.
Amechi noted that this achievement was accomplished despite significant global economic challenges that had created considerable financing gaps and exerted pressure on development finance institutions.
She added, "The demand for BoI financing surged thanks to our relatively lower and longer-term funding options."
The bank also maintained robust asset quality, reporting a non-performing loan ratio of less than 1.5 percent.
Under the federal government's N200 billion intervention scheme, BoI operated as the disbursing body, achieving over 95 percent effectiveness, the statement specified.
The Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme benefited 957,400 recipients during the year. Additionally, a distribution analysis revealed N51 billion allocated to nano enterprises, N32 billion to micro businesses, N178 billion to SMEs, and N375 billion to large enterprises.
In total, 1.6 million jobs were created and preserved, while over 7,000 new MSMEs and 570 startups received support.
Inclusive financing remained a focal point of BoI’s efforts, exemplified by its Guaranteed Loans for Women (GLOW) initiative, a N10 billion gender-focused scheme providing up to N50 million in affordable loans per beneficiary.
Youth-led businesses acquired N12 billion in financing, while the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development (RAPID) supported 880 rural enterprises with over N6.5 billion across all states and the FCT.
Strategic initiatives included upgrading a tomato processing facility to enhance capacity from 3.1 metric tonnes to 10 metric tonnes per hour, linking 47,508 smallholder farmers with processing facilities.
The bank also installed 100 mini-grids in collaboration with international Development Finance Institutions, connecting 11,777 new customers to electricity.
Additionally, N100 billion was allocated to vital national infrastructure projects encompassing broadband, power, aviation, and transportation, with BoI-funded initiatives contributing to an estimated annual reduction of over 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Amechi highlighted that through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program, BoI propelled the advancement of digital and creative enterprises, preparing 500 founders for investment, funding 100 tech startups, and training 400 youths in innovation programs. iDICE targets over 300,000 Nigerians with digital skills and enterprise development initiatives.
In 2025, the bank further established its institutional reputation, becoming Nigeria’s first National Implementing Entity for the United Nations’ Adaptation Fund and the first development finance institution in the nation to achieve Privacy Information Management System Certification.
BoI earned multiple accolades, including the title of Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Nigeria 2025, Best Company in Financial Inclusion, and Best Company in Infrastructure Development at the SERAS 2025 Sustainability, Enterprise & Responsibility awards among others.
The accomplishments of 2025 affirm BoI's commitment to disciplined growth, effective risk management, and measurable developmental impacts, all supporting Nigeria’s goals of industrialization and economic transformation aimed at greater inclusivity.
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