AGSMEIS is a Central Bank of Nigeria scheme funded by commercial banks’ profits and channelled through participating banks and the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank. It targets agribusiness and SMEs with loans at concessional interest and longer tenors than ordinary commercial credit.
Who qualifies
- Registered businesses (CAC) in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, creative industries, ICT and other priority sectors
- Owners who have completed an approved entrepreneurship development programme (EDP) — certificates from recognised EDIs are usually required
- A business bank account with a participating bank
Documents the bank will ask for
- CAC documents and TIN
- EDP/EDI certificate
- Business plan with cash-flow projections showing repayment
- Bank statements (6–12 months)
- Valid ID, utility bill, passport photographs
- Quotations/pro-forma invoices for equipment to be financed
- Collateral or guarantor details where required
Why applications stall
Banks reject on the cash flow before anything else: if monthly repayment is more than roughly a third of demonstrated net cash, it does not pass. Show real sales history, price your product correctly, and keep the loan amount tied to equipment and inputs you can quote. The GrantPilot generator produces the 12-month cash-flow table banks expect; the Readiness Score flags repayment-capacity gaps before the credit officer does.
Current AGSMEIS and other CBN-backed windows are tracked on the Nigeria loans page with verified links.
Put this into practice
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