GIBC Partners Trade Lenda to Deploy ₦15bn in SME Funding Ahead of 2025 Impact Conference
Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have long faced the same structural challenge: access to finance. With inflation eroding purchasing power and credit conditions tightening, most entrepreneurs find it harder to access capital for growth. Now, the Global Impact Business Community (GIBC), in partnership with fintech firm Trade Lenda, is stepping in with a ₦15 billion fund designed to change that narrative.
The initiative, announced ahead of the 2025 Impact Conference, aims to empower 10,000 SMEs across Nigeria with financial support, mentorship, and business development resources. Applications are open until November 7, 2025, and successful beneficiaries will be unveiled at the Impact Conference slated for November 28–30, 2025, in Lagos.
A ₦15bn Push for SME Growth
According to GIBC, the ₦15 billion fund represents more than just a financial package. It’s structured to include access to loans, investor linkages, mentorship, and training, giving SMEs a broader foundation for sustainable growth.
The partnership with Trade Lenda brings fintech expertise into play. The platform will handle verification, credit assessment, and disbursement through its digital system, a move intended to make access faster and more transparent. Trade Lenda already supports micro and small businesses through short-term working capital and invoice financing, so this collaboration could help scale its reach to a much wider base of entrepreneurs.
The program is open to both registered and unregistered businesses operating in sectors such as retail, agriculture, services, and manufacturing, with a particular focus on women- and youth-led enterprises. Applicants can register and upload their business details through the official Trade Lenda portal.
Bridging the SME Financing Gap
Nigeria’s SME ecosystem contributes nearly 48% of the country’s GDP and accounts for more than 80% of employment, according to SMEDAN. Yet, financing remains the biggest constraint. Commercial lending rates are steep, and risk-averse banks often avoid early-stage or informal businesses.
By positioning itself as a bridge between entrepreneurs and financial institutions, GIBC hopes to create a more inclusive environment for business growth. The fund’s approach, combining financial access with mentorship and exposure to investors, could help SMEs build credibility and scalability beyond the short term.
The Forum for Business and Policy
The upcoming Impact Conference 2025 is expected to serve as the flagship platform for celebrating selected entrepreneurs, showcasing business success stories, and connecting them with investors, regulators, and policymakers. Beyond recognition, the conference will feature sessions on digital transformation, inclusive finance, and sustainable entrepreneurship, reinforcing the broader goal of positioning Nigerian SMEs for global competitiveness.
GIBC’s leadership emphasized that the ₦15 billion fund is only one part of a larger vision to nurture 100,000 impact-driven entrepreneurs by 2030. The community plans to expand similar funding windows across Africa in the coming years.
Cautious Optimism for a High-Impact Collaboration
While the announcement has generated excitement among business owners, industry observers are cautious. Many previous funding initiatives in Nigeria have struggled with execution, transparency, or follow-through. The real test will be whether disbursements happen efficiently and whether beneficiaries receive the promised support beyond the initial capital.
Still, the collaboration between a global business network and a fintech platform known for digital lending provides a reason for cautious optimism. If executed effectively, this fund could become one of Nigeria’s most impactful SME support programs in recent years.
