Only one in four Nigerian MSMEs access government support, with grants leading the way

Key Takeaways

  • Just 25.1% of MSMEs report receiving any form of government support, while 74.9% remain untouched by initiatives.
  • Among those who benefitted, 41.1% accessed grants, making it the most common form of support.
  • 22.1% of MSMEs participated in government training programmes, showing recognition of capacity-building needs.
  • Only 16% received loans and 13.8% got tax breaks, underscoring limited financial and fiscal support penetration.
  • A mere 6.9% of businesses report accessing subsidies, reflecting minimal impact of such schemes.

The story of government support for Nigerian MSMEs in 2025 is one of limited reach but varied impact. Despite the sector’s role as the backbone of the economy, just one in four MSMEs (25.1%) report benefitting from any government programme or initiative, leaving nearly three-quarters (74.9%) unsupported.

Among those who do access help, grants stand out as the most significant intervention (41.1%), offering much-needed relief for businesses struggling with rising costs and limited credit. Training programmes (22.1%) also emerge as an important support pillar, highlighting that entrepreneurs value skills and knowledge alongside financial assistance.

However, financial mechanisms that could ease liquidity pressures—such as loans (16%) and tax breaks (13.8%)—remain less accessible. Even more marginal are subsidies (6.9%), suggesting limited effectiveness of such interventions in reaching small businesses.

Source:

Intelpoint report: MSMEs in Nigeria Business finance, revenue and support, among others

Period:

2025
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