The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has committed a $75 million financing facility to the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) to expand access to credit for Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly businesses operating in the creative economy and export-oriented sectors.
The facility was announced on November 11, 2026, following the signing of an agreement between both institutions during the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026 in Lagos. Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Kanayo Awani, and DBN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Okpanachi, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.
Under the arrangement, DBN will channel the funds through its network of participating financial institutions (PFIs), which will provide financing to eligible businesses. The facility will support working capital requirements, acquisition of productive assets, pre-export and post-export activities, as well as supply chain operations.
Businesses operating in fashion, film, music, design and other creative industries are among the intended beneficiaries. However, the financing is not restricted to the creative sector, as other eligible SMEs involved in productive and export-related activities can also benefit.
The facility forms part of Afreximbank’s Export SME Development Programme, which combines access to finance with capacity-building initiatives and export-readiness support.
Beyond providing capital, Afreximbank and DBN will jointly develop a programme to strengthen the ability of participating financial institutions to identify, assess and finance export-oriented SMEs. The initiative is also expected to equip businesses with the skills, tools and market knowledge required to improve their operations and compete in regional and international markets.
Afreximbank will further provide beneficiary businesses with access to its trade platforms, including MANSA, TRADAR, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the Africa Trade Exchange (ATEX).
Additional market access opportunities will be facilitated through the Africa Buyer Programme, African Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF). These platforms are expected to connect Nigerian businesses with buyers, suppliers and commercial partners across Africa and other international markets.
Speaking on the agreement, Awani said the partnership goes beyond providing capital, as it combines financing with business development support and market access to help Nigerian SMEs strengthen their productive capacity and transition into sustainable exporters.
She added that Afreximbank would work with participating financial institutions to improve their capacity to understand and support SMEs throughout their business growth journey.
