DLM Capital Group has unveiled a ₦30 billion financial instrument aimed at expanding credit access to Nigeria’s underbanked and underserved sectors. The move is part of a broader push to strengthen financial inclusion and support economic diversification through increased lending to small businesses and consumers.
Announced at a recent media parley in Lagos, the newly launched Sovereign Bond-Backed Composite Notes are designed to unlock credit for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), nano businesses, and other underfunded sectors of the economy.
Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Market Stability
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sonnie Babatunde Ayere, Chairman of DLM Capital Group, emphasized that the instruments are intended to de-risk credit markets, protect asset portfolios, and promote the non-oil economy through structured lending.
“This instrument offers principal protection anchored in sovereign debt markets, while delivering enhanced returns from Nigeria’s high-growth, low-penetration credit sectors,” Ayere explained. “We are bridging the gap between capital and those historically excluded from formal lending systems.”
He added that the product will incentivize capital formation, encourage participation in sovereign bond markets, and help build investor confidence in Nigeria’s emerging credit ecosystem.
Instrument Highlights
- ₦30 billion issuance
- 10-year tenure
- Triple-A rating, supported by sovereign bond-backed cash flows
- Registered and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Offers portfolio diversification, high liquidity, and tradability
Targeting Nigeria’s Credit-Starved Sectors
Dr. Babatunde Obaniyi, Group Managing Director of DLM Global Markets, noted that the instrument is a strategic response to the challenges faced by Nigerian SMEs and consumers in accessing finance.
“By tackling the financing bottleneck, we’re enabling sustainable business growth and strengthening the capital formation process,” Obaniyi said.
He emphasized the role of the new bond in enhancing the depth of Nigeria’s financial markets while empowering entrepreneurs, small traders, and underserved communities with flexible, secured access to capital.
Conclusion
DLM Capital’s new sovereign bond-backed financial product represents a bold step toward deepening Nigeria’s credit markets and accelerating financial inclusion. By unlocking lending opportunities in low-access areas, the firm is setting the stage for stronger economic participation and growth across Nigeria’s informal and small business sectors.