Zedvance Finance Limited is accelerating its shift into business lending after disbursing more than N96 billion to commercial enterprises, as the non-bank lender seeks to expand its footprint in Nigeria’s credit market and target N250 billion in funding across key sectors by year-end 2026.
Adedayo Amzat, group managing director of Zedvance Group, said the company’s commercial lending strategy is designed to address structural financing gaps across Nigeria’s enterprise landscape.
“We are proud of our accomplishments so far, especially the impact we have made in sectors that are critical to economic development,” Amzat said.
“For instance, through solar and asset on-lending, we have helped expand energy access and improve income opportunities for gig workers by financing mobility asset platforms across Nigeria.”
According to the Lagos-based finance company, the disbursements were driven by its Commercial Solutions unit, launched in 2024, to extend credit to businesses struggling with limited access to financing from traditional banks.
The expansion highlights the growing role of alternative lenders in Nigeria’s financial system as businesses increasingly seek faster and more flexible credit options amid rising borrowing costs and persistent liquidity constraints.
Zedvance’s commercial financing operations have grown rapidly since launch, supporting enterprises across sectors such as oil and gas, automotive, logistics, renewable energy, fintech, e-commerce, agribusiness, and trade distribution.
The company provides a range of financing products, including working capital facilities, invoice and purchase order financing, equipment financing, and trade finance, helping businesses manage cash flow, expand inventory, and fund operational growth.
Amzat said the company has also introduced a flagship financing offering known as Liquidity Solutions, designed to enable faster credit access for businesses operating in high-growth sectors.
“Because our customers are at the heart of our business, we were intentional about designing our flagship product, ‘Liquidity Solutions’, to allow businesses to unlock faster credit delivery across all high-growth sectors,” he said.
The product provides tailored financing structures such as inventory purchase financing, invoice discounting, and import financing, enabling businesses to optimise cash flow cycles and scale operations more efficiently.
The financing platform also supports ecosystem-based lending, allowing businesses within the same value chain, such as distributors, suppliers, and logistics providers, to access structured credit.
Ayooluwa Oladimeji, senior executive for Commercial Solutions at Zedvance, said the company combines technology-driven underwriting with sector expertise to deploy credit across multiple industries.
According to him, the firm provides funding solutions, including multi-currency credit lines, buy-now-pay-later facilities, and equipment financing for businesses operating in automotive, renewable energy, manufacturing, fintech, and trade distribution.
“In 2025 alone, Zedvance Commercial Solutions recorded a 250 percent increase in its customer base, a 73 percent expansion in its partner network and a 202 percent growth in its loan book,” Oladimeji said.
“These results reflect strengthened partnerships and a sustainably scaled portfolio.”
Zedvance has supported several businesses and ecosystem partners, including mobility platforms such as Shekel Mobility, which provide vehicles and logistics assets for gig economy operators.
Nigeria’s credit market remains heavily constrained for many businesses despite ongoing financial sector reforms. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for the majority of employment in the country, continue to face significant hurdles in accessing credit due to strict collateral requirements, high interest rates, and lengthy approval processes.
As a result, non-bank lenders and fintech platforms have expanded their presence in recent years, offering specialised credit solutions tailored to specific sectors and supply chains.
Zedvance said it plans to significantly scale its commercial financing operations over the next year, targeting more than N250 billion in lending across several sectors in 2026.
The expansion will focus on areas with strong growth potential and significant financing gaps, including off-grid power solutions, smart devices and home equipment, vehicle dealerships and mobility platforms, agribusiness, manufacturing, consumer and industrial goods distribution, and hospitality.
The firm has provided financing to more than one million Nigerians since its inception, positioning itself as a growing player in the country’s alternative lending market.
This strategy is aimed at accelerating enterprise growth by providing faster and broader access to credit for businesses operating across Africa’s commercial ecosystems.
Founded in 2014 and backed by Zedcrest Group, Zedvance Finance has evolved from a consumer-focused lender into a broader financing platform serving both retail and commercial customers.
