Access to affordable financing remains a major barrier for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa, limiting their ability to scale, innovate, and compete globally.
📌 In Nigeria, MSMEs face an annual credit gap of $158 billion, restricting their expansion and investment potential.
📌 In Uganda, securing loans remains a challenge, with 70% of entrepreneurs citing financing as their biggest constraint.
📌 In Ethiopia, high interest rates are a major hurdle, particularly in export-driven industries like leather and textiles.
The New Development Bank (NDB) could play a crucial role in addressing these financing gaps. Offering MSME-specific financial products—such as credit guarantees, low-interest loans, and venture capital funding—could help businesses overcome these barriers.
✅ Ethiopian manufacturers could modernize production facilities.
✅ Ugandan agribusinesses could develop climate-resilient farming techniques.
✅ Nigerian startups could access capital to scale and innovate.
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