The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has commenced 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 association announced the initiative in a statement issued on Sunday, revealing that eligible companies can now submit applications through a dedicated digital portal introduced during the Infrastructure Conference 2026 held at the Afrexim Tower in Abuja.

According to NACCIMA, the financing programme was developed in partnership with Germany-based commercial banking group ODDO BHF SE to improve Nigerian businesses’ access to foreign capital while strengthening the country’s organised private sector.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, under the leadership of Jani Ibrahim, has officially commenced applications for its $150m Offshore Expansion Facility, a financing initiative developed in collaboration with Germany’s ODDO BHF SE to support the growth and modernisation of Nigerian businesses.”

NACCIMA said the platform marks a significant milestone in digitising the process of originating foreign direct investment opportunities for Nigerian enterprises.

Digital portal unveiled at Infrastructure Conference 2026

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, alongside NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Coordinator and Chairman of the Digital Economy Trade Group, Segun Olugbile.

According to the association, the facility will provide qualified Nigerian businesses with patient, long-term capital at single-digit interest rates to support expansion.

Funding will prioritise businesses operating in:

• Manufacturing (excluding defence-related businesses)
• Agro-allied processing
• Energy
• Logistics
• Mineral beneficiation
• Transportation

The statement added that 20 per cent of the total financing facility has been reserved for the digital economy and information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

Minimum financing starts at $10 million

Speaking during the unveiling, Waheed Olagunju said the initiative is designed to create a transparent investment pipeline capable of attracting global investors while supporting viable Nigerian businesses.

“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 established a framework enabling viable and environmentally compliant Nigerian companies to access financing beginning from $10 million.

“The Joint NACCIMA-ODDO Committee has developed a rigorous framework that enables viable, ESG-compliant Nigerian enterprises to access capital, starting at a minimum of $10m, to acquire the European machinery, equipment, and technology needed to scale their operations,” he said.

Secure application platform

The association stated that the online application portal has been developed using bank-grade encryption and includes automated Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification processes to safeguard applicants’ financial information.

“To attract world-class European investment, our digital infrastructure must inspire absolute confidence and trust. This secure e-Portal has been developed with bank-grade encryption and complies with existing regulations. It automates Know-Your-Customer verification and integrates a secure framework to ensure that the proprietary financial information of applicants remains fully protected throughout the transaction process,” Olagunju added.

Eligibility requirements

According to the statement, each successful applicant will be eligible for a minimum financing package of $10 million, with a repayment tenure of at least seven and a half years.

Beneficiaries will be required to allocate between 35 and 50 per cent of the financing towards the procurement of eligible machinery, equipment, goods and services from Europe. The remaining funds may be invested within Nigeria or other approved markets.

NACCIMA noted that only financially viable businesses with proven repayment capacity will qualify for the programme.

Applicants must:

• Submit at least three years of audited financial statements
• Demonstrate compliance with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards
• Be verified financial members of recognised organised private sector associations, including:
  • Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)
  • Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)
  • Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME)
  • Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI)

Driving industrial transformation

NACCIMA described the financing programme as part of its broader strategy to establish credible international financing channels for Nigerian businesses.

The association stated, “This initiative underlines NACCIMA’s commitment to building credible international financing pathways for Nigerian industries. By securing long-term capital through strategic global partnerships, we aim to enhance private sector competitiveness and drive sustainable industrial transformation across the nation.”

According to NACCIMA, the financing programme is expected to support industrial expansion, technology acquisition, productivity improvement and greater competitiveness among Nigerian businesses seeking to scale through access to long-term foreign capital.

Source: Punch