The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has opened applications for a $150 million offshore expansion financing facility aimed at helping Nigerian businesses access long-term, low-interest loans to expand operations, modernise production and improve competitiveness.
The association said the financing programme would provide qualified companies with access to patient capital at single-digit interest rates, offering a major boost to businesses struggling with the high cost of borrowing in Nigeria.
NACCIMA disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, announcing that eligible businesses can now apply through a dedicated digital portal launched during the Infrastructure Conference 2026 held at the Afrexim Tower in Abuja.
According to the association, the facility was developed in partnership with Germany-based commercial banking group ODDO BHF SE to improve access to foreign investment and strengthen Nigeria’s organised private sector.
It said the initiative represents another effort to bridge the financing gap confronting Nigerian businesses, many of which have been unable to secure affordable long-term loans from local financial institutions because of high interest rates.
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 $150 million 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 explained that the digital platform would simplify the process of connecting Nigerian companies with foreign investors while ensuring transparency throughout the application and approval stages.
The association described the portal as an important step in digitising the sourcing of foreign investment for Nigerian enterprises and creating a more efficient system for accessing international capital.
The operational framework and online application platform 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.
Speaking during the unveiling, Olagunju said the programme was designed to establish a transparent investment pipeline capable of attracting reputable international investors while supporting the growth 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.
He explained that the Joint NACCIMA-ODDO Committee had developed a comprehensive framework that would enable financially viable and environmentally responsible Nigerian businesses to access financing beginning from a minimum of $10 million.
According to him, the funding is intended to help companies acquire modern European machinery, equipment and technology needed to increase production capacity and improve operational efficiency.
“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 $10 million, to acquire the European machinery, equipment and technology needed to scale their operations,” Olagunju stated.
The association said the financing facility would primarily target key sectors of the Nigerian economy that have strong potential for industrial growth and job creation.
Priority sectors include manufacturing, excluding defence-related businesses, agro-allied processing, energy, logistics, transportation and mineral beneficiation.
NACCIMA also disclosed that 20 per cent of the total funding has been reserved for businesses operating in the digital economy and information and communication technology (ICT) sector, reflecting the growing importance of technology-driven enterprises to Nigeria’s economic development.
According to the association, each successful applicant will be eligible for financing starting from $10 million, with a repayment period of at least seven and a half years.
The long repayment tenure is expected to allow businesses enough time to complete expansion projects, improve productivity and generate sufficient revenue before repaying the loans.
Under the financing arrangement, beneficiary companies will be required to spend between 35 and 50 per cent of the approved funds on the purchase of eligible machinery, equipment, goods and services from Europe.
The remaining portion of the financing may be invested within Nigeria or other approved markets, depending on the business plan submitted by the applicant.
NACCIMA stressed that only financially sound companies with proven repayment capacity would qualify for the programme.
To be eligible, applicants must provide at least three years of audited financial statements, demonstrate compliance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and maintain verified financial membership of recognised organised private sector associations.
These include NACCIMA, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI).
The association also assured prospective applicants that the digital platform has been designed with strong security features to protect confidential financial information throughout the application process.
According to Olagunju, the online portal uses bank-grade encryption and automated Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification procedures to ensure compliance with financial regulations while safeguarding applicants’ data.
“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,” he said.
NACCIMA said the financing programme forms part of its broader strategy to establish credible international funding channels for Nigerian businesses and reduce their dependence on expensive domestic loans.
The association noted that improving access to affordable long-term capital is critical to boosting industrial production, increasing exports and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian companies in regional and global markets.
“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,” the statement added.
The initiative comes at a time when many Nigerian manufacturers and businesses are grappling with high production costs, rising energy prices, exchange rate volatility and expensive borrowing.
Interest rates on commercial loans in Nigeria have remained high in recent years, making it difficult for many businesses to finance expansion projects or invest in modern equipment.
With applications now open, NACCIMA expressed optimism that the initiative would accelerate industrial growth, encourage technology acquisition and position more Nigerian companies to compete successfully in both domestic and international markets.