Nigerian women-owned businesses repay loans 2.5x better than men

Women-owned businesses in Nigeria are repaying loans at a rate 2.5 times better than their male counterparts, according to Moniepoint's 2025 Impact Report. The fintech said lending to women-owned firms grew more than 300% over the year, and 62% of surveyed female entrepreneurs said the facility was their first formal business loan. Despite receiving only 36% of Moniepoint's loan book—still above the industry benchmark of 15% to 25%—women's ventures showed markedly lower default rates.

The report notes that women own roughly one-third of Nigeria's MSMEs yet continue to face collateral demands and thin credit histories that limit formal financing. EFInA data cited in the report shows only 45% of Nigerian women have access to financial services, compared with 56% of men. Similar trends appear in Credit Direct's 2025 Nigeria Credit Landscape Report, which found women received 26% of loans but posted a 7.8% delinquency rate versus 10.9% for men, even while borrowing slightly larger average amounts.

These findings align with broader research from institutions like the International Finance Corporation, which highlights a persistent financing gap despite strong repayment performance. Earlier this year, the African Development Bank approved a $61 million facility for the Development Bank of Nigeria to expand affordable credit for women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises.

With women-led businesses proving to be lower-risk borrowers, what steps should lenders and policymakers take to expand credit access for this high-performing segment?

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/07/27/women-repay-sme-loans-better-than-men-moniepoint-report-finds/