GIBC, Trade Lenda launch N15bn SME Growth Fund ahead of 2025 Impact Conference

By Christian Agadibe

The Global Impact Business Community (GIBC), in partnership with Trade Lenda, has announced the commencement of applications for the 2025 edition of its Impact Conference, alongside the launch of a N15 billion SME Growth Fund aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises across Nigeria. The conference, slated for November 28–30, 2025 in Lagos, is designed as both a national convening and a strategic intervention to stimulate enterprise growth, inclusion, and innovation within the country’s private sector.

According to the organisers, the initiative is not merely a funding drive but a holistic empowerment platform that seeks to advance inclusive economic participation.

Through the N15 billion fund, GIBC and Trade Lenda aim to reach at least 10,000 SMEs nationwide, with particular attention given to women and youth-led enterprises.

However, the organisers emphasised that all entrepreneurs with credible, growth-driven business ideas, whether operating registered or unregistered ventures, are welcome to apply.

At the heart of the Impact Conference and Growth Fund is a vision for sustainable development that transcends capital disbursement. In addition to funding support, selected beneficiaries will receive targeted capacity building, financial literacy training, and mentorship from seasoned business leaders, investors, and technical experts.

The organisers noted that these complementary components are intended to strengthen managerial competence, deepen financial discipline, and expand access to viable market networks, ensuring that enterprises are not only funded but equipped to scale sustainably.

In their joint statement, GIBC and Trade Lenda described the project as an evolution of their long-standing commitment to enterprise development and inclusive growth.
“This initiative goes beyond financing—it is about enabling sustainable, inclusive growth by equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and networks they need to thrive,” the statement read.

The organisers highlighted that the initiative is open to a broad range of applicants, including micro, small, and medium-scale businesses in retail, agriculture, manufacturing, and services, as well as innovative startups with scalable models. Entrepreneurs with clear, pitch-ready ideas are also encouraged to participate. The selection process, they explained, will prioritise business clarity, innovation, and demonstrable potential for job creation and community impact.

Applicants are required to register through the Trade Lenda App (available on both Android and iOS platforms) or via the company’s web portal.

Following registration, candidates must complete and submit the official application form through the designated online platform and prepare the necessary documents for verification and due diligence.

The call for applications will remain open until Friday, November 7, 2025.

Application process:
Compulsory: Register via the Trade Lenda App (Android / iOS) or via the web link (tradelenda.com/sign_up)

Submit the application at https://tally.so/r/w22jWD

The 2025 Impact Conference itself will serve as a convergence point for thought leaders, investors, policymakers, and business owners to deliberate on practical strategies for enterprise resilience and economic transformation. It will feature keynote addresses, interactive sessions, and live pitch presentations, offering selected entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to present their ideas directly to potential financiers and collaborators.

Registration for the conference is currently open on the official GIBC website, www.gibc.ng.

Interested participants and applicants seeking clarification may contact Trade Lenda via
support@tradelenda.com or GIBC via globalimpactbusinesscommunity@gmail.com

With this initiative, GIBC and Trade Lenda reaffirm their joint commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape by expanding access to finance, knowledge, and opportunity—core drivers of sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving economy.