The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) awarded ₦13 million in grants to three tech-focused small businesses at the 2025 DBN Techpreneur Summit 4.0 held in Lagos. BuyScrap, a startup that recycles electronic waste, won the top prize of ₦6 million. QiqiFarms, which uses technology in agriculture, received ₦4 million, while Ecocyclers, a company that turns plastic waste into useful products, took home ₦3 million.
The event featured seven finalists, but these three stood out for their creative solutions to real-world problems.
DBN Drives Tech Innovation for MSMEs
Dr. Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director of DBN, said the summit was more than just a tech event. He called it a national movement to boost entrepreneurship through innovation. This year’s summit carried the theme “CTRL+SHIFT: Tech Empowered Movement for Naija”, encouraging Nigerian MSMEs to use technology for growth and survival.
He noted that DBN remains committed to supporting small businesses with training, funding, and tools that help them grow. “We’re not just giving out money,” Okpanachi explained. “We’re helping build a new generation of problem-solvers.”
DBN’s Continued Support for Small Businesses
Since it began in 2017, DBN has launched several programs to help Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Initiatives like the Digital Shift Workshops and the Eco-Innovation Challenge have offered both funding and skills training to startups across the country.
This latest summit shows DBN’s growing focus on technology and innovation. The bank aims to increase access to tech funding while encouraging smart, scalable ideas that can create jobs and tackle national challenges.
For many tech startups in Nigeria, DBN’s programs offer more than money. They provide mentorship, exposure, and long-term business support that can help them succeed in competitive markets.
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