The Bank of Industry (BOI) has announced a record level of lending to enterprises in Nigeria in 2025, with total disbursements reaching N636 billion. The figure represents the highest annual funding level in the institution’s history and highlights its role as the country’s leading development finance institution supporting industry and enterprise growth.
According to BOI, the funds were distributed to more than 7,000 businesses operating across manufacturing, agribusiness, MSMEs, infrastructure, power, ICT and the creative sector. The results were published in the Bank’s 2025 impact report, which outlined progress made under its 2025–2027 transformation agenda. This agenda focuses on strengthening the balance sheet, improving access to long-term capital, raising operational efficiency and aligning financing with national economic and industrial priorities.
The Bank said the milestone was reached despite global macroeconomic pressures that widened financing gaps and placed strain on development finance institutions. Demand for BOI funding rose during the year due to its comparatively lower-cost and longer-tenured loans.
Sector allocations included N202 billion for agro-allied enterprises, N100 billion for infrastructure, N79 billion for manufacturing, N77 billion for extractive industries and N55 billion for services. The disbursements were supported in part by the €2 billion syndicated facility secured at the end of 2024, N200 billion in Federal Government MSME loans and grants, and a further €210 million mobilised from international partners in 2025. BOI also deployed N73 billion in managed and matching funds on behalf of state governments and institutional partners.
The Bank reported that asset quality remained strong, with a non-performing loan ratio of below 1.5 percent. Under the Federal Government’s N200 billion intervention programme, BOI acted as the disbursing institution and recorded over 95 percent performance. The Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme reached 957,400 beneficiaries during the year.
A breakdown by business size shows that N51 billion went to nano enterprises, N32 billion to micro businesses, N178 billion to SMEs and N375 billion to large enterprises. BOI said 1.6 million jobs were created and retained in 2025, while more than 7,000 new MSMEs and 570 start-ups received support.
Inclusive finance featured prominently in the Bank’s activities. Under the Guaranteed Loans for Women (GLOW) Programme, a N10 billion gender-focused fund provided up to N50 million in affordable financing per beneficiary. Youth-owned businesses received N12 billion in funding, while the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development (RAPID) supported 880 rural enterprises with over N6.5 billion across the 36 states and the FCT.
BOI also highlighted several targeted interventions during the year. These included upgrading a tomato processing facility from 3.1 metric tonnes to 10 metric tonnes per hour, linking 47,508 smallholder farmers to processing facilities, deploying 100 mini-grids with global Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), connecting 11,777 new customers to electricity, and disbursing N100 billion to critical national infrastructure covering broadband, power, aviation and transport. BOI-financed projects were estimated to have contributed to an annual reduction of more than 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, the Bank supported digital and creative businesses by preparing 500 founders for investment, funding 100 technology ventures and training 400 youths through innovation initiatives. The iDICE programme targets over 300,000 Nigerians.
Commenting on the results, BOI Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olasupo Olusi, said: “Achieving over N600 billion in loan disbursements to our customers in 2025 is a significant milestone for the Bank of Industry, which aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive industrialisation, economic diversification, and inclusive growth across Nigeria.”
“Beyond this milestone, our performance this year demonstrates BOI’s continued commitment to supporting enterprises, creating jobs, and strengthening the nation’s industrial base, delivering tangible impact in line with national development priorities.”
During 2025, BOI also became Nigeria’s first National Implementing Entity to the United Nations’ Adaptation Fund and the first development finance institution in the country to receive Privacy Information Management System Certification. The Bank received several awards, including 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.
BOI said the 2025 performance reflects its focus on disciplined growth, effective risk management and measurable development impact in support of Nigeria’s industrialisation and inclusive economic transition.
