First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has officially opened applications for its 2026 SheVentures Zero-Interest Loan Programme, offering eligible women entrepreneurs access to loans of up to N5 million without interest charges. The initiative aims to provide affordable financing to help women-owned businesses expand operations, increase inventory, and strengthen their market presence.
Programme Highlights
The SheVentures programme features zero-interest loans of up to N5 million, along with business advisory services, financial inclusion support, and capacity-building opportunities. FCMB stated that the goal is to help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses without the burden of commercial loan interest rates.
In an official announcement, the bank said: "Are you a female entrepreneur in need of a fast and flexible loan to meet urgent working capital needs? FCMB SheVentures is here for you. Take advantage of the zero-interest loan programme and secure up to N5,000,000 to grow your business with no interest and no hidden charges."
Key Features
- Zero-interest loans of up to N5 million
- Business advisory and support services
- Capacity-building opportunities for business growth
- Financial inclusion and formal banking support
- Focus on women-owned and women-led businesses
Eligibility and Target Beneficiaries
The programme is designed for women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, female founders seeking affordable expansion capital, and entrepreneurs looking to scale operations, inventory, or equipment. Women-led businesses with existing operations and growth potential, as well as MSMEs seeking financing without heavy interest burdens, are also encouraged to apply.
Businesses operating in retail, agriculture, fashion, manufacturing, trade, and services are expected to benefit significantly from the initiative. FCMB has opened applications for women-owned businesses seeking expansion, as reported by Bloomberg.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants are generally expected to:
- Be a woman entrepreneur or owner of a woman-led business
- Operate a registered or active business in Nigeria
- Demonstrate business viability and repayment capacity
- Provide the required documentation and business details
- Meet FCMB’s programme assessment requirements
Prospective applicants are advised to apply early due to the expected high volume of submissions. The bank said the programme is open to women-owned or women-managed SMEs registered in Nigeria and seeking flexible financing support to grow their businesses.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply through FCMB’s official SheVentures application portal. The bank encourages early applications to ensure consideration.
Related Initiatives
Earlier, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) introduced YouthCred, a loan initiative aimed at supporting young Nigerians with easier access to funding. Under that scheme, eligible youths can obtain loans of up to N5 million to support their personal and business aspirations. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, stated that the programme is designed for all Nigerian youths and not limited to National Youth Service Corps members.
