By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has opened applications for a $150 million offshore expansion facility aimed at providing Nigerian businesses with long-term financing at single-digit interest rates to support expansion and modernisation.
The facility, developed in partnership with Germany-based commercial banking group ODDO BHF SE, is designed to improve access to foreign capital for Nigerian businesses and strengthen the competitiveness of the organised private sector.
NACCIMA announced the commencement of applications in a statement issued on Sunday following the unveiling of a dedicated digital application portal during the Infrastructure Conference 2026 held at the Afrexim Tower in Abuja.
NACCIMA Unveils Digital Application Portal
The operational framework and application portal were jointly unveiled by the Chairman of the Joint NACCIMA-ODDO BHF Working Group Committee and former Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Waheed Olagunju, and NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Coordinator and Chairman of the Digital Economy Trade Group, Segun Olugbile.
According to NACCIMA, the platform represents a step towards digitising the origination of foreign direct investment for Nigerian enterprises.
The facility will provide qualified companies with long-term expansion capital at single-digit interest rates.
Funding will prioritise manufacturing, excluding defence-related businesses, agro-allied processing, energy, logistics, mineral beneficiation and transportation.
The association said 20 per cent of the facility would be reserved for businesses in the digital economy and information and communication technology sector.
Facility Targets Industrial Expansion
Speaking at the unveiling, Olagunju said the initiative was designed to create a transparent investment pipeline capable of attracting international investors while supporting the expansion of viable Nigerian companies.
“What we are launching today is a transparent, globally aligned investment origination pipeline as a demonstration of investors’ confidence in Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
Olagunju explained that the Joint NACCIMA-ODDO Committee had developed a framework through which viable and environmentally compliant Nigerian businesses could access financing starting from $10 million.
He said the financing would enable eligible businesses to acquire European machinery, equipment and technology needed to scale their operations.
Each successful applicant can access a minimum financing package of $10 million, with a repayment tenure of at least seven and a half years.
Applicants to Meet Eligibility Requirements
NACCIMA said beneficiaries would be required to commit between 35 and 50 per cent of the financing to the procurement of eligible machinery, equipment, goods and services from Europe.
The remaining funds may be deployed within Nigeria or other approved markets, subject to the terms of the facility.
The association said only financially viable businesses with proven repayment capacity would qualify for the financing.
Applicants are required to provide at least three years of audited financial statements and demonstrate compliance with environmental, social and governance standards.
They must also be verified financial members of recognised organised private sector associations, including NACCIMA, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises or the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists.
Digital Platform Introduces Security Measures
According to NACCIMA, the digital application platform was developed with bank-grade encryption and automated Know-Your-Customer verification processes to protect applicants’ financial information.
Olagunju said the security measures were introduced to build confidence among businesses and international investors using the platform.
“To attract world-class European investment, our digital infrastructure must inspire absolute confidence and trust,” he said.
He added that the platform complies with existing regulations and incorporates measures to protect applicants’ proprietary financial information throughout the transaction process.
Initiative to Strengthen Business Competitiveness
NACCIMA said the facility forms part of its broader efforts to establish credible international financing channels for Nigerian businesses and strengthen private-sector competitiveness.
The association said access to long-term foreign capital would support industrial expansion, technology acquisition, productivity improvement and modernisation among Nigerian businesses.
It added that the partnership with ODDO BHF SE would create sustainable financing opportunities for Nigerian companies seeking to scale their operations and compete more effectively in domestic and international markets.
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