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National Credit Guarantee Company Limited: Powering Inclusive Growth Through Risk-Sharing Guarantees
The National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (“NCGC” or the “Company”) is set to commence operations on 01 July 2025, as a specialised financial institution established to unlock access to credit and drive inclusive economic growth across Nigeria’s real economy. With an initial capital commitment of ₦100 billion, recently announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NCGC is positioned to reshape how Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturers, and strategic sectors access much-needed financing.
For decades, Nigerian businesses especially micro, small and medium scale enterprises have faced significant challenges accessing loans due to collateral barriers and high-risk perception. NCGC is bridging that gap. By providing partial credit coverage, the company will offer banks and other financial institutions a safety net, allowing them to lend more confidently to eligible borrowers, particularly in underserved and high-growth sectors.
NCGC does not lend directly to businesses. Instead, it partners with Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) including commercial banks, microfinance banks, fintechs, CBN-licensed institutions and other development financial institutions to share lending risk and support broader financial inclusion. The model is simple but powerful: enable lenders to do more by reducing the risk that prevents them from reaching viable, underfunded borrowers.
Key Beneficiaries
NCGC’s framework targets a wide range of beneficiaries:
· MSMEs across all regions
· Local manufacturers and value chain operators
· Credit consumers
· Youth and women-led enterprises
· Export-oriented and non-interest-based businesses
· Large enterprises within priority sectors
Our Core Services
NCGC offers three primary services:
· Partial Credit Guarantees – Covering up to 60% of outstanding principal on qualifying loans.
· Co-Guarantees – Collaborating with other institutions to jointly share lending risk.
· Technical Assistance – Providing capacity-building support for lenders and borrowers to enhance credit readiness and portfolio quality.
Guiding Principles
The company’s operations are underpinned by globally accepted credit risk-sharing principles:
· Risk-sharing, not risk transfer
· Strategic issuance to preserve borrower discipline
· Tiered eligibility to promote inclusion and developmental impact
· Full alignment with CBN regulations
These principles ensure every guarantee issued is responsible, irrevocable, and impact-driven.
Product Suite
NCGC offers a diverse set of guarantee products:
· Individual Guarantees – For high-value, project-specific loans.
· Portfolio Guarantees – For pool of loans in homogeneous sectors (e.g., agro-processing, creative economy).
· Performance Bond Guarantees – For businesses seeking to meet contract-based obligations.
Sectoral Coverage
Our guarantees are available across critical sectors including:
· Agriculture & Agribusiness – From inputs to processing and logistics.
· Renewable Energy & Green Economy – Including solar, clean tech, and mini-grids.
· Manufacturing & Infrastructure – Targeting value-added production and light industry.
· Digital & Tech Enterprises – Including startups, fintechs, SaaS, and logistics tech.
· Solid Minerals and Metal – Metal fabrication, recycling, beneficiation, coating, etc.
· Textile – Fashion, leather works, jewelry
· Export-Oriented SMEs – Especially in non-oil sectors.
· Women & Youth Enterprises – Including all women-owned businesses (promoter age not more than age 65).
· Islamic Enterprises (coming soon) – Non-interest, Shariah-compliant financing models.
A New Era of Credit Confidence
NCGC is more than just a financial institution; it is a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic transformation. By incentivizing lenders to serve more businesses safely and sustainably, NCGC is enabling job creation, driving productivity, and fostering a more self-reliant economy.
Its operational model is built to:
· Unlock access to finance for real sector growth
· Create jobs and alleviate poverty
· Drive inclusive economic outcomes
· Strengthen the MSME ecosystem
· Build trust and scale in Nigeria’s credit markets
Left: Founder, Chief Responsibility Officer, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble/ Founder, Betti-O School of Fashion, Adenike Ogunlesi; Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal and Lagos State First Lady, Her Excellency, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu at the ongoing Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair holding at Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos
Ecobank Nigeria has officially launched the much-anticipated fourth edition of its Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair, a vibrant cultural and commercial event dedicated to promoting Nigeria’s indigenous fashion industry and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The four-day fair runs from June 5 to 8, 2025, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, 270B1 Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. Visitors are welcomed daily from 10:00 AM.
Over 130 vendors are showcasing a diverse range of Adire designs, fashion items, and lifestyle products. The fair attracts a wide audience, including fashion enthusiasts, cultural professionals, creatives, entrepreneurs, and shoppers from across Nigeria and beyond.
Notable dignitaries who have so far graced the fair include the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who represented the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Lagos State First Lady, Her Excellency Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; the wife of the former Ekiti State Governor,Erelu Bisi Fayemi ; Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo; former Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; founding President of the FinTech Association of Nigeria (FANI), Dr. Segun Aina; and the owner of Nike Art Gallery, Nike Davies-Okundaye, among others.
Omoboye Odu, Head of Small and Medium Enterprises at Ecobank Nigeria, expressed delight at the strong turnout, stating, “This year’s exhibition promises a dynamic blend of established brands and emerging designers who embody innovation, cultural pride, and export potential.” She further emphasized the fair’s role as a major Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Ecobank.
“The Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair is a key CSR initiative, offering SMEs a platform to showcase their products free of charge while fostering economic growth and national unity. Last year’s event attracted over 20,000 visitors in four days, with one vendor making N30 million in sales—equivalent to six months’ revenue—demonstrating the fair’s strong commercial potential.”
Exhibitors also praised the growing appeal of Adire designs. Ms. Fadilat Lawal, Managing Director of Sanyaolu Trading Stores, Abeokuta, highlighted the durability and cultural symbolism of Abeokuta Adire. Ms. Cynthia Uma, Creative Director of Cecesignature Unisex Clothing, Lagos, emphasized Adire’s growing global recognition as a revenue driver for her business.
The Adire Lagos Exhibition Fair continues to serve as a premier platform for celebrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage while empowering local artisans and entrepreneurs to thrive.
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3.214 billion shares : Continuation From Print Nigerian stock market sees significant dip in transactions
Stock market investors traded 3.214 billion shares worth N76.348 billion in 64,156 transactions on the floor of the Exchange during the week.
This is compared to 3.794 billion shares valued at N119.394 billion that exchanged hands last week in 89,636 deals.
Consequently, the value of transactions traded by investors on the Exchange dropped by 56.4 per cent.
Meanwhile, market opened for four trading days during the week as the Federal Government declared Friday, June 6 and Monday, June 9, as public holidays to commemorate 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The Financial Services led the activity chart with 2.313 billion shares valued at N52.241 billion traded in 27,326 deals.
This contributed 71.96 per cent and 68.43 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
The ICT industry followed with 301.996 million shares worth N5.026 billion in 4,137 deals.
The third place was the Consumer Goods Industry, with a turnover of 144.538 million shares worth N5.632 billion in 8,093 deals.
Trading in the top three equities namely Fidelity Bank Plc, Legend Internet Plc and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc accounted for 1.545 billion shares worth N34.446 billion in 4,939 deals.
This contributed 48.06 per cent and 45.12 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.
The NGX All-Share Index and Market Capitalisation appreciated by 2.57 per cent to close the week at 114,616.75 and N72.275 trillion respectively.
Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of NGX ASeM Index which closed flat.
Fifty-three equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 56 equities in the previous week.
Forty-three equities depreciated in price, lower than 44 in the previous week, while 52 equities remained unchanged, higher than 48 recorded in the previous week.
The top five decliners for the week are: Associated Bus Company, Julius Berger, Legend Internet, Livestock Feeds and E-Tranzact International as they lost 55k, N18.50, 82k, N1.15 and 80k respectively.
Oando Plc, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Multiverse Mining, Cornerstone Insurance and First Holdco were the top five gainers for the week, as they grew in 25.77 per cent, 21.62 per cent, 20.39 per cent, 19.51 per cent and 17.60 per cent respectively.
The companies gained N11.65, 56k, N1.55, 64k and N4.40 respectively.
The May 2025 Issue of the Federal Government of Nigeria,Savings Bonds were listed on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd on Thursday
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ZenithBankPlchasbeennamed“BestBankinNigeria”intheGlobalFinanceBestBanksAwards 2025, winning the award for the fifth time in six years. The Bank was among winners from36 countries in Africa recognised by the prestigious Global Finance in its 32nd Annual Best BankAwards.Thewinnersofthisyear’sawardsarethosebanksthatattendedcarefullytotheircustomers’needs in difficult markets and accomplished strong results while laying the foundations for futuresuccess. Winning organizations managed their assets and liabilities in a savvy way despite thefast-changing interest rate scenarios.The editors of Global Financemade the selections after extensive consultationswith corporatefinancialexecutives,bankersandbankingconsultants,aswellasanalystsworldwide.Factorsconsideredinselectingthetopbanksrangedfromthequantitativeobjectivetotheinformedsubjective.Objectivecriteriaconsideredincluded:growthinassets,profitability,geographicreach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. Subjectivecriteria included the opinions ofequity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultantsandothers involved in the industry.Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dame(Dr.) Adaora Umeoji,OON, said: “We are thrilled to retain our position as the Best Bank in Nigeriafor the fifth year since 2020. This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment todelivering exceptional customer service, innovative financial solutions and dedication to servingour customers withefficiency and astrong focus on corporategovernance. We willcontinue toinvestinourpeople,technologyandprocessestoensurethatweconsistentlymaintainthehighestlevelofservicedelivery”.ShelaudedthecontributionsandeffortsoftheBank’skeystakeholders – the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership and role inlayingthefoundationforanenduringandsuccessfulinstitution,theBoardfortheconsistentguidance they provide, the staff for their commitment and dedication, and the Bank’s customersfor their unwavering loyalty and support to the Zenith brand.JosephD. Giarraputo,publisherand editorialdirectorof GlobalFinance,said:“Global bankingcontinuestoadaptandevolve,meetingchallengesandcapitalizingonopportunitieswithresilience and innovation. AI has quickly taken a pivotal role in the transformation of banking, andits growthpromises toreshape the financialsector atan unprecedentedpace.” He addedthat:“Global Finance’s Best Bank Awards honor financial institutions that excel in diversity of offerings,long-term stability, and technological innovation.”GlobalFinance’s“BestBanksAwards”arerecognisedamongsttheworld’smostinfluentialbanking/financeandcorporateprofessionalsasthemostcovetedandcredibleawardsinthebanking industry, with winners chosen in 150 countries and territories across Africa, Asia Pacific,the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, NorthAmerica and Western Europe. -
Foundedin1987,GlobalFinanceregularlyselectsthetopperformersamongbanksandotherfinancial services providers, and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for theglobal financial community.Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerousawards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for thefifteenth consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The BankerMagazine. The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of theYear Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024, in theGlobalFinanceWorld’sBestBanksAwards;BestBankforDigitalSolutionsinNigeriaintheEuromoneyAwards2023;andwaslistedintheWorldFinanceTop100GlobalCompaniesin2023.Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for four consecutive years from 2021to2024intheWorldFinanceBankingAwardsandMostSustainableBank,NigeriaintheInternationalBanker2023and2024BankingAwards.Additionally,ZenithBankhasbeenacknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance CorporateGovernanceAwardsfor2022,2023and2024and‘BestinCorporateGovernance’FinancialServices’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand inNigeria in theBanker Magazine Top500 Banking Brandsfor 2020 and2021, Bank ofthe Year2023 and2024 atthe BusinessDayBanks andOther FinancialInstitutions (BAFI)Awards, andRetail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024 at the BAFIAwards.TheBankalsoreceivedtheaccoladesofBestCommercialBank,NigeriaandBestInnovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.ZenithBankwasalsonamedMostResponsibleOrganisationinAfrica,BestCompanyinTransparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowermentat the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024; Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank oftheYear2024byNewTelegraphNewspaper;andBestinMSMETradeFinance,2023byNairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year’at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025
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