The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has taken a decisive step in reshaping Nigeria’s investment and infrastructure landscape with the unveiling of a secure digital e-Portal for accessing the $150 million ODDO BHF SE Offshore Expansion Financing Facility. The announcement was made during the Nigeria Infrastructure Conference (INFRACON 2026), where stakeholders from across government, finance, and the private sector gathered to chart new pathways for sustainable infrastructure development.

The conference, convened at the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) Towers, brought together policymakers, regulators, development finance institutions, investors, developers, academia, and the organised private sector. Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s pressing infrastructure deficit, participants underscored the urgency of mobilising private capital, strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and creating a stable, investment-friendly environment.

The communiqué adopted at the conclusion of the conference highlighted several key outcomes. Delegates agreed that Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit continues to constrain economic growth, industrialisation, and competitiveness. Mobilising private capital was described as “no longer optional – it is essential.” Predictable policies, regulatory certainty, and transparent governance were identified as critical to attracting patient, long-term capital. PPPs were reaffirmed as a delivery engine, with emphasis placed on improving project preparation and bankability.

Five strategic sectors were identified as priorities for investment: Energy, Transport, Gas, Maritime, and Digital Infrastructure. These sectors were seen as pivotal to enhancing productivity, facilitating trade, and supporting economic diversification. The communiqué also encouraged the adoption of innovative financing instruments such as blended finance, infrastructure bonds, and credit enhancement mechanisms to unlock new pools of capital.

A major highlight of INFRACON 2026 was the unveiling of the NACCIMA–ODDO BHF SE Offshore Expansion Financing Facility. Jointly presented by Dr Waheed Olagunju, Chairman of the NACCIMA–ODDO Working Group Committee and former Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, and Dr Segun H. Olugbile, NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Coordinator, the facility is designed to provide long-term expansion capital at single-digit interest rates to qualified Nigerian enterprises.

The financing facility, established in partnership with ODDO BHF SE, a leading German commercial banking group headquartered in Frankfurt, is structured to support priority sectors including Manufacturing, Agro-Allied Processing, Energy, and Logistics. Notably, 20 percent of the facility has been reserved for the Digital Economy and ICT sector, reflecting NACCIMA’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

Dr Olagunju emphasised that the initiative is built on a transparent and globally competitive governance framework. “What we are launching today is a transparent, globally aligned investment origination pipeline. The Joint NACCIMA–ODDO Committee has developed a rigorous framework that enables viable, ESG-compliant Nigerian enterprises to access patient capital with a minimum financing of US$10 million for the acquisition of European machinery, equipment, and technology needed to scale their operations. We are commencing with a pilot phase to validate the model before expanding nationwide,” he stated.

The secure e-Portal, presented as part of NACCIMA’s digital transformation agenda, features advanced security architecture, compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, automated Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, and integration of the Trustmark framework. Dr Olugbile explained that the platform has been designed to inspire confidence among international investors by ensuring that proprietary financial information remains fully protected throughout the transaction process.

Key features of the facility include a minimum financing amount of US$10 million per applicant, a technology transfer requirement mandating that 35–50% of financing be dedicated to European machinery, equipment, or technical services, and eligibility criteria requiring three years of audited financial statements, demonstrable repayment capacity, ESG compliance, and verified membership of NACCIMA or affiliated Business Membership Organisations (BMOs).

The Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) e-Portal is scheduled to go live next week, with a 60-day timeline to identify and recommend the first fifteen investment-ready companies for final credit assessment by ODDO BHF SE in Germany. Qualified Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors, Chief Financial Officers, and corporate executives are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and commence the secure online application process without delay.

The communiqué further stressed that delivering sustainable infrastructure requires collaboration across stakeholders. Government, the organised private sector, development finance institutions, and international partners must work together as one delivery ecosystem. “Partnership is the platform on which projects stand,” delegates affirmed.

INFRACON will reconvene in April 2027 to review progress on the 2026 recommendations and deepen stakeholder collaboration. The communiqué, signed by NACCIMA President Engr. Jani Ibrahim OON, FNSE, FAEng, FCIoD, MNI, serves as a reference framework for continued engagement on Nigeria’s infrastructure agenda.

With the unveiling of the ODDO BHF SE financing facility and the adoption of the INFRACON 2026 communiqué, NACCIMA has positioned itself as a central driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation. By leveraging private capital, digital innovation, and global partnerships, the association is advancing a vision of modern, resilient infrastructure and enterprise growth that will underpin Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.