Business
FirstBank’s ₦1trn Digital Loan Disbursement Milestone and New Era of Inclusive Lending in Nigeria
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For decades, Nigeria’s credit system posed significant challenges for small businesses and low-income earners, who often struggled to qualify for loans. Traditional banks demanded collaterals, guarantors, and endless paperwork, effectively shutting out a large portion of the population working in the informal economy.
FirstBank’s digital lending model flipped the script. With the launch of its digital lending model, the bank eliminated collateral requirements and slashed approval times from weeks to under five minutes. Loans now flow through multiple channels including *894# (the Bank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp, and the FirstMonie agent network, reaching market traders, civil servants, rural farmers and everyday individuals.
When FirstBank disbursed its first instant digital loan in August 2019, the transaction seemed like a bold experiment in tech-driven finance. Today, just six years later, the 131-year-old financial institution has announced cumulative disbursements of over N1 trillion in digital loans, a milestone that redefines the scale of retail digital lending in Nigeria’s financial services industry. This achievement reflects a deep shift in the way and manner Nigerians (salary earners, small and medium scale entrepreneurs, and the financially excluded) access loans. Credit, once a privilege for the wealthy or formally employed, is now a tap away for millions of Nigerians. FirstBank is helping people to grow their businesses, seize opportunities, and stay afloat in challenging times.
The numbers tell a compelling story: over 1.5 million unique borrowers have accessed loans through FirstBank’s digital platforms. For a banking system historically constrained by bureaucracy, and rigid risk models, the existence of collateral-free, instant digital loans comes as a relief. FirstBank has tapped into an unmet demand that traditional lending channels have struggled to capture. Its digital lending ecosystem, designed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, is tailored to assess high-risk segments that conventional credit scoring often overlooks.
In Nigeria, where over 40 percent of the adult population are still underbanked or completely unbanked, FirstBank is reshaping what inclusion looks like. The issue is not that Nigerians lack ambition or the ability to repay loans; it is that traditional banking systems have long struggled to assess their creditworthiness. Legacy models simply could not capture the financial realities of people outside the formal economy.
FirstBank is rewriting that narrative. Through a range of digital loan products (FirstAdvance for salary earners, FirstCredit for individuals without formal employment, and Agent Credit for micro-businesses operating within the FirstMonie Agent network), the bank is showing how financial inclusion can be scaled with smart, data-driven tools. These products are tailored to meet people where they are, using technology to bridge gaps that paperwork once made impassable.
FirstBank’s digital lending strategy deeply aligns with Nigeria’s broader financial inclusion goals. The 2023 EFInA Survey Report on Access to Financial Services in Nigeria (A2F) shows that 64 percent of the Nigerian population is now formally included in the financial system. Much of this progress is thanks to the increased adoption of mobile money and digital financial services, which are making banking accessible even in the most remote corners of the country.
The implications for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are profound. According to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), MSMEs contribute nearly 50 percent to the country’s GDP and employ over 80 percent of the labour force, yet access to formal credit remains one of their greatest constraints. Through Agent Credit, FirstBank empowers small traders, artisans, and shopkeepers, many in areas far from any bank branch, with quick, affordable capital. This redistribution of financial access fosters economic participation and resilience at the grassroots.
The significance of this model extends beyond Nigeria. Across Africa, where an estimated 350 million adults lack access to formal financial services, FirstBank’s model offers a blueprint. African banks can leverage existing mobile adoption, behavioural data, and agent networks to build credit ecosystems suited to local realities, utilising digital lending as a bridge between exclusion and empowerment. It is proof that banks can be more than just gatekeepers; they can be catalysts for inclusive growth.
Industry analysts see FirstBank’s digital lending milestone as part of a broader evolution in Nigeria’s digital economy. In the past decade, the proliferation of mobile banking and agent banking has pushed the boundaries of accessibility. Yet, access to credit has remained a stubborn bottleneck. While savings and payment platforms grew quickly, lending stayed cautious. Banks were held back by the risk of defaults, weak identification systems, and limited credit histories. FirstBank is showing how that equation can be changed. By using data aggregation, alternative credit scoring models, and digital channels, the bank is unlocking new ways to assess risk and extend credit more confidently.
However, scaling digital credit also raises questions about sustainability and customer protection. In Kenya, for example, the rapid growth of digital loans over the past decade led to concerns about over-indebtedness, data privacy, and predatory lending practices by unregulated operators. Nigeria’s regulatory environment will need to balance innovation with safeguards, ensuring that customers are included and protected. FirstBank is ahead on this, leveraging AI not only for loan approvals but also for proactive risk management, ensuring defaults are minimised and repayment behaviour is nurtured responsibly.
Another dimension is the competitive landscape. Many fintech lenders have built reputations on offering fast, collateral-free loans. Yet, their model has often been characterised by exploitative interest rates and coercive repayment tactics, and regulatory headwinds. FirstBank, with its balance sheet strength, established reputation, and nationwide presence, has a competitive edge in blending the agility and flexibility of fintech with the resilience of traditional. With over N1 trillion digital loans successfully processed, the bank demonstrates the ability to serve Nigerians with speed while providing a level of institutional trust many customers still value.
The milestone also reflects a cultural shift in how Nigerians relate to their banks. For decades, traditional banks were perceived as conservative institutions, more interested in corporate customers than on individuals struggling with school fees, rent, or working capital for their shops. By embedding loan access into its digital channels and the FirstMonie Agent network, FirstBank has repositioned itself as a partner in everyday life. Whether customers use smartphones or basic feature phones, they now have equal access to credit and are no longer sidelined by technology gaps or administrative hurdles.
From an economic perspective, the ripple effects of FirstBank’s digital lending ecosystem are far-reaching. Beyond consumption smoothing for households, instant digital loans catalyse economic activity in local markets. Traders can restock quickly, farmers can purchase farm inputs when they are needed, and artisans are able to meet unexpected orders. When aggregated, these micro-impacts contribute to broader productivity and growth, helping to stabilise the informal economy that forms the lifeblood of local commerce.
As FirstBank marks this landmark achievement, it also confronts the responsibility that comes with scale. Digital lending at this magnitude is not merely a product line; it is a public utility shaping how millions experience financial security. Sustaining this momentum will require continuous innovation and a firm focus on customer empowerment, values that are deeply ingrained in the bank’s DNA.
Ecobank Nigeria has announced the Top 20 finalists for InnovateX 2026, its flagship youth innovation challenge powered by Blaze by Ecobank in partnership with Verve. The finalists emerged from a competitive selection process involving 168 teams, comprising 672 undergraduate students from 90 universities across Nigeria.
The grand finale, scheduled for October 30, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Lagos, will see the finalists compete for top honours and a share of the ₦20 million prize pool. Five teams will emerge as winners, while the remaining 15 teams will receive consolation prizes and further exposure within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
InnovateX is a youth innovation and entrepreneurship challenge designed to empower young Nigerians to develop and pitch innovative solutions to real-world challenges across banking, technology, business and society. The initiative provides a platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas, compete for financial support and access opportunities for mentorship, skills development and career advancement.
The Top 20 finalists represent diverse sectors, including financial technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital services, education, and enterprise solutions. Among the selected teams are IncluFi, Aselabs, Team Vhorde, Jolt, Kredo, Levromat, Konvoy, Impact, Barrow and Leopard Skin.
Designed for young people aged 16 to 25, InnovateX 2026 attracted aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. Beyond financial support, participants stand to benefit from mentorship, skills development, industry exposure, networking opportunities and national recognition.
The selection process culminated in regional hackathons held in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, where participating teams pitched their ideas before panels of industry experts, technology leaders and innovation mentors.
InnovateX provides a platform for engaging emerging talent and encouraging entrepreneurship, connecting Ecobank with promising young Nigerians while reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation and youth empowerment.
Speaking on the initiative, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Ecobank Nigeria, said: “InnovateX reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators by providing access to the resources, networks, and opportunities they need to transform bold ideas into scalable and impactful ventures.”
Through initiatives such as InnovateX and Blaze by Ecobank, the Bank continues to create opportunities for young people to develop entrepreneurial skills, advance innovative ideas and contribute to economic growth across Nigeria and Africa.
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched a Group-wide Climate Action Week to deepen climate awareness, promote responsible environmental practices and advance sustainable finance across its African and international operations.
The five-day campaign, running from October 26 to 30, 2026, is themed “Banking on Africa’s Climate Future” and reflects the Bank’s commitment to integrating environmental responsibility into its operations, customer engagement and financing solutions.
The initiative commenced with the deployment of waste segregation bins across UBA offices and measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics at the Bank’s head offices. These activities underscore UBA’s commitment to translating sustainability principles into practical actions within its workplace and across its wider ecosystem.
Throughout the week, UBA will disseminate educational content across its media and digital platforms to highlight the causes and consequences of climate change, including its impact on food prices, energy consumption and urban flooding. The campaign will also promote responsible plastic disposal, recycling and the critical role of financial institutions in financing clean energy, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally responsible businesses.
As part of the campaign’s community engagement component, UBA staff volunteers will participate in a Group-wide clean-up exercise on Saturday, November 7, in major cities across its markets. In Nigeria, the exercise will take place in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, mobilising employees to contribute directly to cleaner and healthier communities.
UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the growing impact of climate change.
“Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is increasingly shaping everyday life across Africa. We see its effects in rising food costs, increased energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses and livelihoods.
“At UBA, we believe that building a sustainable future requires collective action, beginning with the choices we make at work, at home and in our communities. Through this Climate Action Week, we are encouraging every member of the UBA Tribe, alongside our customers and other stakeholders, to embrace practical, sustainable habits and inspire others to do the same,” Alawuba said.
As part of its stakeholder engagement activities, UBA will sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on Friday, October 30, where the Bank will deliver a speaking session and participate in a panel discussion. The engagement will provide an opportunity to showcase UBA Green Finance, highlight the Bank’s sustainability initiatives and explore how financial institutions can support Africa’s transition to a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
Alawuba, noted that climate considerations were increasingly important to business resilience, risk management and long-term economic growth.
“Climate change presents significant risks to businesses, communities and economies. These risks can affect business continuity, operating costs and financial performance, making sustainability an increasingly important consideration for both businesses and the financial institutions that support them.
“Through UBA Green Finance, we seek to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations. By helping customers explore financing solutions aligned with their needs, we can contribute to a more resilient private sector while unlocking opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa,” Alawuba further said.
In a further step towards strengthening its sustainability capabilities, UBA is set to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN). The move is expected to deepen the Bank’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) expertise and support the continued professional development of its employees in sustainability-related disciplines.
The Climate Action Week forms part of UBA’s broader sustainability strategy, which integrates environmental responsibility into its Customer First philosophy through responsible business practices, employee engagement, community initiatives and green finance. By combining awareness, practical action and financing solutions, the Bank aims to encourage more sustainable choices while supporting businesses and communities in navigating the challenges and opportunities of climate change.
United Bank for Africa is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions and one of the largest employers in the continent’s financial sector, with approximately 25,000 employees and over 45 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, advancing financial inclusion and leveraging technology to deliver innovative financial solutions.
Business
UBA Secures Court Order Against Vitol, Four Others in $242m Petroleum Products Diversion Claim
A Lagos State High Court, last Thursday, granted interim preservative orders of Mareva Injunction against Vitol SA – a Switzerland based Energy Trading company, and four other shipping companies in favour of United Bank for Africa Plc.
The bank alleged Vitol of wrongful release of cargoes of petroleum products which were consigned to the order of United Bank for Africa Plc in the Bills of Lading.
Addressing the Court, Bode Olanipekun, SAN, lead counsel for United Bank for Africa, urged the Court to grant the interim preservative orders against Vitol and the other shippers.
In a ruling on the application, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice K. A. Jose (Mrs.) granted three prayers in UBA’s application, including requests to restrain the dissipation of assets and dealings with funds up to the disputed amount by Vitol S.A.
“Prayers 1–3 are granted as prayed against the 2nd Respondent only,” the judge ruled.
The application was brought pursuant to Order 43 Rule 1 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the Lagos State High Court Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019.
UBA is seeking to contend in the substantive proceedings that Vitol SA and the owners of the vessels, are liable for alleged conversion, misrepresentation and negligence arising from the non-delivery of the petroleum products.
UBA also cited 34 financial institutions and public agencies, including commercial banks, merchant banks, microfinance banks, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service, in connection with the application.
In an affidavit supporting the application, UBA’s Group Head of Recoveries and Remedial Management, Anthony Chilaka, stated that the bank issued a letter of credit for the benefit of Vitol SA to facilitate a petroleum products transactions.
UBA alleged that the cargo was transported to Nigeria and that the vessels’ masters issued several bills of lading.
The bank further alleged that Vitol subsequently endorsed the bills of lading “to the order of” UBA and handed over the original copies to it.
UBA maintained that the endorsement entitled it to take possession of the cargo upon completion of the voyage.
However, Chilaka stated that the bank had not received the gasoil despite the completion of the voyage.
“The applicant has not been given possession of the gasoil despite completion of the voyage,” the affidavit stated.
UBA alleged that the cargo was instead, applied to the use of another party, contending that the respondents’ failure to deliver it amounted to conversion and negligence.
The bank argued that the respondents had obligations arising from the transaction and the endorsement of the shipping documents, which it claimed were not fulfilled.
The bank alleged that the cargoes associated with those transactions were also diverted to the use of other parties after their voyages, rather than delivered to UBA.
