Expanding finances for businesses across key sectors of the economy, the company also plans to deploy about ₦500 billion over the next 18 months to support growth-ready businesses in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, logistics, and technology.

This was revealed at the 2026 edition of the Zedvance Business Roundtable, where business leaders, entrepreneurs, financiers and experts across the industry gathered to discuss how smarter financing models can strengthen businesses and unlock long-term economic growth.

The event, themed “Unlocking Growth: The Role of Smart Financing in Building Resilient Businesses,” reiterated a belief that access to the right capital, delivered through an accurate understanding of industries and business ecosystems, will be highly indispensable in bolstering Nigeria’s next phase of economic development.

In his welcome address, Adebayo Amzat, group managing director of Zedcrest Group, said the company’s focus on SMEs is rooted in their importance to the economy at large.

“Zedvance is here to do major business in the SME space across every vertical,” he said, adding that financing small businesses is one of the most effective ways to create economic impact because SMEs employ people, support local supply chains and drive activity across multiple sectors.

Amzat explained that Zedvance’s lending model is designed around ecosystems rather than isolated transactions, allowing businesses within different sectors to support overall portfolio stability.

“We don’t like transactions, we like businesses,” he said while encouraging entrepreneurs to maintain proper records, build sustainable value and operate businesses that can show track records over time.

Zedvance is directing capital towards productive sectors where financing can generate huge economic benefits, and the company plans to deploy ₦500 billion over the next 18 months in a bid to strengthen support for businesses that are ready to scale.

Amzat further explained that the objective goes beyond profitability. “Why are we doing all of this? We do not think profit is the only objective, or is the most important objective. We think that our work, first and foremost, is to increase the size of the pie,” he said.

He also highlighted the services within the Zedcrest Group, noting that businesses can access debt financing, private equity, wealth management and investment banking services through the group’s various subsidiaries.

According to him, the goal is to ensure that promising businesses can obtain the capital they need at different stages of growth.

One of the takeaways from the roundtable was that financing alone is not enough. Businesses also need trust-based partnerships, operational discipline and sector expertise.

During the agribusiness and healthcare session, experts examined the challenges businesses face in accessing timely financing and the role strategic partnerships can play in helping companies scale.

The conversation highlighted how responsive financing can strengthen supply chains, improve business confidence and enable companies to seize opportunities when they arise.

Speakers agreed that long-term growth is built on integrity, transparency and relationships that extend beyond individual transactions.

Attention later turned to the energy sector, where discussions focused on the increasing demand for financing solutions that can support renewable energy, electric mobility and decentralised power infrastructure.

Experts noted that access to capital will be critical to driving innovation across the sector, particularly as businesses and households seek reliable and cost-effective energy alternatives.

The session also explored how flexible financing models can reduce limitations to adoption by reducing upfront costs and making clean energy technologies more accessible.

With demand growing continuously, the panel pointed to significant opportunities for investment across the energy value chain, particularly in areas capable of improving productivity and reducing operating expenses for businesses.

Across both sessions, a key takeaway was that businesses thrive when financing is tailored to the specific dynamics of their industries rather than delivered through a one-size-fits-all approach.

From agriculture and healthcare to manufacturing, logistics, energy and technology, speakers stressed the importance of funding solutions that show the unique needs and growth cycles of each sector.

Zedvance is supporting businesses with the capital, expertise and long-term partnerships needed to build resilience and unlock growth through its SME lending scheme. This aligns with the needs of Nigerian businesses facing economic challenges in the sector.

With the right financing and the right partners, growth is still within reach.

Zedcrest’s evolving platform offers clients a broad range of services across its core business areas, including Asset Management, Investment Banking, Securities, and Financing.

These services are delivered through its subsidiaries: Zedcrest Securities (formerly RMB Nigeria Stockbrokers), Zedcrest Global Markets (formerly Zedcap Partners), Zedcrest Capital, Zedvance Finance, and Zedcrest Investment Managers (Zedcrest Wealth).

With more than a decade of delivering financial solutions, Zedcrest is entering a new phase of growth, driven by strategic acquisitions, expanded product offerings, enhanced regulatory capabilities, and the appointment of new leadership across its core businesses.

In 2024, Zedcrest successfully completed the acquisition of RMB Nigeria Stockbrokers. The firm, a member of Rand Merchant Bank, the Corporate and Investment Banking arm of FirstRand Group, has since been rebranded as Zedcrest Securities, strengthening the Group’s stockbroking capabilities and expanding its portfolio of financial products and services.

In growing its institutional offering, Zedcrest also acquired its Issuing House license, enabling it to deliver end-to-end investment banking solutions, including capital raising, structured finance, and advisory services. This further cements its position as a capable and dependable financial partner to individuals and institutions.

As part of its next phase of growth, Zedcrest has strengthened its leadership across its core businesses. The company recently announced the appointment of Simbiat Bada as Managing Director of its Stockbroking business, in line with its strategic focus on deepening market capabilities. Similarly, Ademola Akogun has been appointed Managing Director of its Investment Banking business where he will drive the expansion of the Group’s corporate finance and advisory capabilities.

To further reinforce its investment management capabilities, Zedcrest appointed Luke Ofojebe, CFA, as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) in line with its commitment to delivering expert, research-driven investment advisory services. Ofojebe steps into the role following a successful tenure as Head of Research & Portfolio Management at Zedcrest Wealth, where he designed and executed strategies that significantly grew the company’s Assets Under Management (AUM). These appointments reflect a deliberate effort to build a strong, forward-thinking leadership team capable of steering Zedcrest through its next phase of institutional expansion.

Zedcrest’s growing reputation and recognition as a market leader is built on its consistent track record of strong performance. Its Money Market Fund consistently ranks among the top-performing funds in its category, alongside solid returns across its equity funds and other investment offerings, reflecting a disciplined investment philosophy and robust risk management framework. Across its broader investment portfolio, the Group continues to deliver competitive returns, reinforcing client confidence and value creation.

The firm’s journey has equally been marked by a consistent focus on innovation and long-term value creation.

In 2023, Zedcrest celebrated its 10th anniversary themed: “A Future Redefined” and officially launched the Zedcrest Wealth app, a digital investment platform that provides easy access to a range of innovative investment solutions.

This milestone underscored Zedcrest’s ambition to redefine the delivery of financial services in Africa over the next decade.

Beyond its and investment businesses, Zedcrest’s consumer and business financing arm, Zedvance Finance, continues to play a key role in supporting economic growth.

Zedvance plans to disburse ₦250 billion in commercial funding in 2026 alone, following strong performance from its Commercial Solutions business, which has already deployed over ₦96 billion since 2025. Central to this strategy is its flagship product, Liquidity Solutions, designed to address the credit gap facing local enterprises.

Commenting on Zedcrest’s strengthened institutional positioning, Adedayo Amzat, group managing director, Zedcrest Group, notes that

“Zedcrest’s long-term strategic mission extends beyond Nigeria, as we aim to elevate capital flows across Africa. We envision a comprehensive financial services institution with robust offerings in asset management, banking, lending, securities markets, investment banking, insurance, and pensions. Our goal is to be the driving force that enables seamless capital movement within the economy, ensuring that we contribute significantly to the financial landscape as we achieve these objectives.”

As financial markets become increasingly complex and interconnected, the need for institutions that can provide integrated, efficient, and scalable financial solutions continues to grow.

Zedcrest is playing a long-term game by reinforcing its institutional capabilities, leveraging data and research for informed decision-making, and enhancing its market presence, not only to drive its next phase of growth, but also to contribute to the continued development of Nigeria’s financial services industry.

The inaugural FT list which was compiled with Statista, a research company, was released after months of study, public calls, intense database research, and direct interaction with over 900 public companies in the continent.

Seventy-five (75) firms were ranked among millions of African-based businesses based on their revenue compound annual growth (CAGR) between 2017 and 2020.

“It’s an honour to be ranked on the inaugural FT Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies list,” said Adedayo Amzat, group managing director, Zedcrest Group. “It is a direct reflection of the leadership team we have in place, and I couldn’t be more proud of our team. We’ve been fortunate to extend our business across different verticals of the financial sector over the past few years and we’ll continue to evaluate opportunities in other markets as part of our future growth strategy.”

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building inter-connected financial solutions across Africa through technological innovation while ensuring global best practices.

The ranking, according to FT, offers a view of the corporate landscape on a continent where technology, finance, and support-service companies have had to adjust to a drastically changed environment.

Nigeria was the second most represented country in the ranking, with 20 companies, behind South Africa (24) and ahead of Kenya (nine), and Egypt (six).

These are also the markets that have attracted the most venture capital and where unicorns (companies valued at $1bn+) and would-be unicorns have proliferated.

According to FT, “Many of the fastest-growing companies, especially in the fintech sector, are those seeking to tap Africa’s unbanked population or markets that have previously been underserved or ignored. The health and education sectors, for example, spurred by unmet needs and rising aspirations, are among those offering the most scope for growth.”

However, not all of the fastest-growing companies are high-tech. Zedcrest Group, for example, has operating subsidiaries that are well recognized and celebrated as industry leaders in securities markets, consumer finance, and asset management.

Its inter-dealer brokerage aim, Zedcap Partners is a leader player in the Nigerian Securities markets, winning the FMDQ’s best brokerage service award for the third year running. Zedcap has a clientele and partners lists including players in the pension industry, asset managers, commercial banks and an impressive list of foreign portfolio investors in the Nigerian financial markets.

Zedvance Finance, the consumer lending aim of Zedcrest Group is easily the most popular lending business with the working population in Nigeria. Serving over 1million salary earners in the country. Zedvance Finance is also actively developing new consumer & business loans products and BNPL solutions for the mass market.

ZIMVEST, the SEC-regulated investment platform of Zedcrest Group is bringing the best of personalised, digital investment solutions to individuals and businesses through a range of portfolios cutting through global equities, fixed income funds and ETFs. All products of Zimvest can be accessed via the Zimvest mobile app.

Zedcrest’s principal investing business is heavily focused on technology-driven business models across commerce, finance and social impact sectors (education, healthcare and agriculture) leveraging technology, global partnerships & best-in-class processes.

The company has backed more than 50 companies across the African continent over the past 36 months, including high growth companies like Leatherback, Koniku, Reliance Health, Helium Health, Utiva, Bankly, Bento, Abwaab, Indicina, TalentQL, Flyr Labs, Yoello and Zumi.

Asides from technology investments, Zedcrest is also invested in Oil & Gas upstream and midstream assets, with investments in Ingentia Energies, operator of the newly awarded Egbolom, an onshore (swamp) marginal field situated in OML 23, located in the Central Niger Delta Sedimentary Basin.