The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has announced that it has disbursed more than N1 trillion in empowerment loans since its inception in 2015, with women accounting for 62 percent of the beneficiaries. The disclosure came during a women-focused empowerment programme in Yola, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
The initiative, organised in partnership with the Organisation for Environmental, Agricultural and Health Development (OEAHD), brought together 200 women drawn from across Adamawa’s 21 local government areas. It carried the theme, “Empowering Women through Entrepreneurship for Economic Inclusion,” reflecting the broader push to strengthen women’s role in Nigeria’s economic growth.
The bank explained that the loans and training were designed to expand women’s access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises while equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to move from financial exclusion to full participation in the economy. The programme highlighted the critical role women play in driving growth and improving community wellbeing, stressing that empowering them is central to ensuring sustainable development.
A monitoring and evaluation system has been put in place to track the impact of businesses created under the scheme, with the goal of ensuring sustainability and measurable progress. OEAHD described the project as an investment in the future, particularly in agriculture, health services, environmental sustainability and entrepreneurship. The organisation emphasised that bridging the gender gap in economic opportunities is not optional but essential for national transformation.
The initiative was also hailed by state officials as timely and necessary to address challenges women face in accessing finance and scaling their businesses. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the opportunity, particularly noting the value of the training sessions on business registration, marketing and compliance with regulatory agencies. They pledged to formalise their enterprises to ensure long-term growth and sustainability.
DBN said its commitment remains firm in ensuring that women are not left behind in the country’s economic transformation and that their participation and leadership remain central to achieving inclusive growth.
