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Nigerian manufacturers, particularly Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) operators in the agricultural sector, have been encouraged to prioritize peer partnerships as a proven strategy to improve their chances of securing the funding needed to grow their businesses.
The Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Zedvance Finance Limited, Ayooluwa Oladimeji gave this charge at the Nigeria Manufacturing & Equipment/Nigerian Raw Materials (NME/NIRAM) Expo 2025, organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in partnership with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
Speaking during a panel session on “Accessing Funding Opportunities for Sustainable Manufacturing”, Oladimeji explained that financiers are often reluctant to fund many SME farmers and agro-processors due to the absence of reliable structures, formal frameworks, and verifiable track records.
According to him, manufacturers and input providers should band together by leveraging existing groups or cooperatives to present a unified front when approaching financial institutions with funding requests.
He further revealed that as a growth financing partner for businesses with a strong focus on the manufacturing ecosystem, Zedvance Finance has supported several small-scale businesses and input providers in building capacity over the years.
Oladimeji noted that the company is currently working with an aggregator to support over 1,000 poultry farmers through its asset financing solutions in Osun and Oyo states.
“At Zedvance, we take a value-chain, ecosystem-based approach to solving problems. We offer financing for input vendors that serve manufacturers through invoice discounting, purchase order financing, and logistics asset financing.
“We also provide inventory financing so that large-scale distributors, wholesalers, and retailers can easily purchase finished products from manufacturers using our financing and payment solutions. Rather than burdening manufacturers with providing distributor financing themselves, we take on that responsibility so they can direct their working capital towards other critical aspects of their businesses.”
Meanwhile, the Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications at MAN, Dr. Segun Alabi, described the expo as a hub where industry stakeholders gather to network and hold vital conversations on advancing the manufacturing sector.
“We are glad to have Zedvance exhibit at this event because they are a key stakeholder to our members, manufacturers, researchers, and other raw material producers.
“By financing their projects, Zedvance ensures that businesses thrive, which in turn grows our economy and reduces dependency on imported goods. This aligns with the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First’ initiative, ensuring that we produce what we consume and consume what we produce,” he said.
Zedvance Finance Limited, a subsidiary of Zedcrest Group, is Nigeria’s leading non-bank financial platform, providing business and retail financing solutions designed to create prosperity for its customers and stakeholders.
Over the past decade, the Group has empowered more than one million Nigerians by offering tailored, quick, and affordable loan products, disbursing over N250 billion in retail and business loans.
