The Federal Government is set to launch a de-risking fund in May to improve access to affordable financing for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, during the 2025 International Women’s Day event organized by the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) on Saturday in Abuja.
A Boost for MSMEs
Adekunle-Johnson highlighted that the de-risking fund is part of a broader strategy to address high lending rates and stimulate the growth of small businesses across Nigeria. The fund aims to reduce the unsustainable lending rates currently as high as 28-30%.
“We are launching this fund to ensure that SMEs can access loans at a significantly lower rate, far below the current exorbitant rates,” he stated. “While I cannot guarantee an exact percentage, it will certainly be much lower than the 28% rate businesses are facing today.”
Support for SMEs Amid Global Trade Challenges
In addition to easing access to financing, the fund will also serve as a cushion for SMEs struggling with challenges like the 14% tariff imposed by the United States. While the Minister of Finance has addressed the tariff issue, Adekunle-Johnson assured that additional interventions are being planned to further assist businesses affected by international trade hurdles.
Expansion of MSME Hubs Nationwide
As part of its support for MSMEs, the Federal Government is also focused on expanding shared facility hubs across the country. These hubs allow small business owners to access international-grade equipment for sectors such as ICT, agriculture, and fashion, at a subsidized fee of as low as N1,000 per day.
“We inaugurated 10 hubs last year, and by the end of this year, we plan to have 20 hubs in total,” Adekunle-Johnson announced. “These hubs provide guaranteed power supply and are designed to accommodate 150-200 entrepreneurs daily, enabling over 120,000 MSMEs to meet their production targets in just the past year.”
The initiative is managed by the private sector with government oversight, ensuring efficiency and accountability.
Women in Business: Challenges and Solutions
During the event, Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, the President of NASME, stressed the importance of practical support for women-owned MSMEs, emphasizing that women play a central role in the nation’s economy and MSME ecosystem. He also mentioned that women represent 55% of global employment and are crucial for driving MSME growth and GDP contributions.
However, he pointed out that women entrepreneurs face significant barriers, including access to finance, markets, and capacity building. NASME has been working to address these issues through partnerships with development partners and banks, as well as supporting women entrepreneurs in exports through the Export Readiness Programme.
Call for Action: Improving Women-Focused Policies
Dr. Beatrice Benjamin, the National Women Coordinator of NASME, expressed concern about the poor implementation of women-focused policies, calling for action instead of just more policies.
“We don’t need more policies—we need real, actionable steps,” she said. “Women in rural areas face challenges like lack of electricity and access to facilities, making it harder for them to grow their businesses. We need real intervention, not just words.”
She welcomed the government’s commitment to supporting women in business but emphasized that programs for women must be specific, deliberate, and swift.
Looking Ahead
The NASME event brought together key stakeholders to discuss ways of improving inclusivity and economic empowerment for women in Nigeria’s MSME space. The Federal Government’s efforts, particularly the de-risking fund and expansion of MSME hubs, are steps toward fostering a more vibrant and inclusive economy in the country.
