Nigeria's Microfinance Sector Expands to N6 Trillion as Banks Post Profit Gains

Nigeria’s micro‑finance banking industry has surged over the past five years, with the sector’s total balance sheet climbing from under N300 billion to more than N6 trillion. At the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) 16th AGM in Abuja, President Dr. Adenrele Oni reported a loan portfolio of N2.4 trillion and deposits of about N4.3 trillion as of March 2026, and urged the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide additional intervention funds and a more business‑friendly regulatory framework.

Separately, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc disclosed a six‑month pre‑tax profit of N3.20 billion for the period ended 30 June 2026, a 7.7% rise on the year‑earlier figure. After‑tax profit grew 5.68% to N2.04 billion, earnings per share rose to 34 kobo, and interest income increased 25.15% to N10.18 billion. Total assets reached N61.70 billion, up 15.86% from the previous year, while higher interest expenses tempered net interest income growth.