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.

=====

Leading consumer lending company, Zedvance Finance Limited has again received the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) compliance status for the implementation of statutory requirements in accordance with its regulatory guidelines.

The NDPR framework was introduced by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) with the aim of promoting safe practices for transactions involving the exchange of personal data, protecting the rights of natural persons to data privacy, and preventing the manipulation of personal data.

In addition, the guideline is to guarantee that Nigerian businesses remain competitive in international trade while operating within a just legal and regulatory framework for data protection.

Commenting on the retained compliance status, Ever Obi, the Managing Director of Zedvance Finance Limited, asserted that the company has always placed a high priority on being transparent about its privacy procedures and will continue to provide seamless, data-protected financial solutions to all of its new and existing customers. “We are pleased to have expanded the scope of our pre-existing compliance with the NDPR audit compliance status. Our customers trust in our ability to handle their sensitive information while offering them tailor-made financial solutions within the global best practice,” he stated.

“We believe it’s critical that we go beyond simply declaring our commitment to privacy — we are continually looking for ways to demonstrate that commitment. Retaining the NDPR compliance status is another validation of our commitment to our customers”, “said the Zedvance boss.

The Regulation imposes several responsibilities on data controllers and processors to enable them lawfully obtain and process data.

Data protection compliance involves understanding not only a company’s policies, contracts, and legal engagements.

It also requires an understanding of the company’s information technology, security, audit, and operational system.

Lukmon Oloyede, Head of Product Marketing & Brand Communication at Zedvance Finance, also added that since it commenced operations in 2014, Zedvance has provided access to personal and business loans to millions of Nigerians through digital lending channels.

“New and existing customers of Zedvance can access quick and convenient loans of up to N5 million within 3–5 hours through its self-service digital channels like web app, MoneyPal app (available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store), USSD *5858#, WhatsApp, by chatting with Zee on 09095017151, and/or calling to the Customer Service Centre phone number 07001001000”, he said.