CBN Reaffirms Commitment to MSME Financing, Private-Sector Partnership at Abuja Trade Fair
ABUJA — October 6, 2026
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the organised private sector, particularly in expanding access to finance, promoting financial inclusion and supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The commitment was highlighted during the CBN Special Day held at the ACCI Trade Fair Hall on October 6, 2026, as part of activities at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF), organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
In his remarks, the President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the CBN, government institutions and the private sector to accelerate Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Chief Obegolu said Nigeria needed an economic ecosystem where sound policies support enterprise, access to finance strengthens production, innovation drives competitiveness and businesses are empowered to operate effectively within Nigeria and across the African market.
He also stressed the importance of improving access to affordable financing and formal credit for MSMEs, noting that stronger financial-sector support was critical to enterprise expansion, job creation and sustainable economic development.
Representing the CBN at the event, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Relations, said the Bank remained committed to engaging businesses and other stakeholders towards strengthening Nigeria’s financial system and supporting sustainable economic growth.
She highlighted financial inclusion and digital financial services as important instruments for expanding access to the formal financial system, particularly for individuals and businesses that remain underserved.
According to her, sustained engagement between the financial sector and the business community would help deepen understanding of available financial opportunities while strengthening the connection between financial services and productive economic activities.
The Special Day also featured a quiz and recognition of participants, with senior officials of the CBN and ACCI presenting gifts to winners.
Among those who participated in the presentation ceremony were the CBN Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Mr. Michael Chukwuemeka Akuka, and the Director-General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu Chukwuemeka Jideani.
In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, Mr. Uche Tobias, Head of the Public Relations Division, Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Relations Department of the CBN, appreciated the Bank’s management, ACCI leadership, organisers, exhibitors and other stakeholders for their participation in the event.
Tobias encouraged the quiz winners and other participants to become ambassadors for the CBN by promoting awareness of the Bank’s programmes and initiatives, including the eNaira.
The CBN Special Day reinforced the importance of sustained engagement between Nigeria’s financial institutions and the organised private sector, particularly in creating stronger pathways for businesses to access finance, embrace digital financial services and contribute more effectively to economic growth.
Stronger CBN–private-sector collaboration can help address some of the key constraints facing Nigerian businesses, particularly limited access to affordable credit and financial services. For MSMEs, improved financial inclusion and digital payment solutions can support business formalisation, expansion, productivity and access to wider markets, while strengthening the connection between finance and productive economic activity.
Edited by
Rosemary Aiyenale
