The Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, has charged development finance institutions (DFIs) in Nigeria to operate with the highest standards of transparency, accountability and risk management.

Uzoka-Anite gave the charge in Abuja yesterday in a keynote at the launch of the maiden edition of the Bank of Industry’s (BOI) yearly development impact report 2025.

She said the three attributes are the foundation of investor confidence, noting that institutions are judged not by how much they spend, but by how effectively they leverage investment, manage risk, deliver measurable impacts and inspire confidence.

“Alignment with global best practices in project structuring, financial reporting, and environmental and social safeguards is essential for attracting international capital,” she said.

The minister said the challenges of the future, including climate adaptation, energy transition and digital infrastructure, required financing solutions that are as innovative as the problems they seek to address.

“Our Nigerian DFIs must evolve beyond lenders into catalysts for investment mobilisation, project structuring, blended finance, guarantee mechanisms, and innovative financial solutions”, she said, adding that the next frontier of Nigeria’s DFIs is to become architects of investment ecosystems, a role that requires stronger governance and institutional systems.

While inviting development partners to support Nigeria’s development journey, the minister said: “We are aware that investors need to know that the rules will not change mid-game. The present administration has done something about that. Policy frameworks are clear and predictable. Investment protection is non-negotiable.

“We are strengthening our policy environment to attract capital and protect investors. We are strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks to protect investments and resolve disputes fairly and ensure implementation discipline is enforced.”

She said development does not happen in Abuja alone.

“It happens in the states, in the local governments, in the communities where Nigerians live and work. The Bank of Industry’s impact must reach the states, where the majority of enterprises are located and where the jobs of the future will be created”, she said.

Managing Director of BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the bank would continue to work with all its stakeholders to ensure that every investment does not only catalyse additional resources, but also contributes to inclusive growth, industrialisation and shared prosperity.

According to the report, BOI provided development finance valued at N645 billion with 950,362 grant beneficiaries. The Bank also financed 1,615 startups, created 1.68 million jobs, disbursed N218.6 billion to 12,501 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), provided N5.5 billion in financing for youth-owned businesses and N120.9 billion to women-focused businesses.