In order to boost financial inclusion and ease access to credit by poor and vulnerable individuals, Access Bank Plc and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development have rolled out a loan scheme for poor Nigerian farmers aged between 18 and 55 years, and other vulnerable groups.
This was disclosed in a statement at the weekend in Lagos, by the bank’s Group Head, Emerging Businesses, Mr Ayodele Olojede. Olojede said the initiative tagged the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.0) would be implemented across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The GEEP 2.0 is a loan scheme designed by the Federal Government for persons at the bottom of the economic pyramid who are engaged in small-scale commercial activities under its three flagship schemes: FarmerMoni, MarketMoni, and TraderMoni.
According to Olojede, FarmerMoni is for Nigerian farmers aged between 18 to 55 years in rural areas that operate in the agricultural space. “They are provided with loans of up to N300,000 for gainful agricultural production and value addition activities. This scheme has 12 months including three months moratorium and nine months repayment period. “Tradermoni targets uplifting under-privileged and marginalised youths aged between 18 to 40 years in Nigeria by providing them with loans of N50,000 while MarketMoni targets underprivileged and marginalised women aged between 18 to 55 years, including widows and divorcees. “They get non-interest loans of N50,000 payable within six to nine months,” he said.
Furthermore, Olojede noted that the bank remains committed to the growth and development of the Micro, Small, and Medium- Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), to boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment rate. “Our partnership with the Federal Government to roll out GEEP 2.0 in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory is part of our commitment to address the primary factor small business owners face.
“In rolling out the programme GEEP 2.0 loans, special accounts will be opened for all beneficiaries for the disbursement of the loan. “All beneficiaries are expected to complete physical enumeration at their various local government and an account opening form of Access Bank before disbursement,” Olojede added.
