Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, says expanding Nigeria’s non-interest finance sector will be crucial to mobilising sustainable capital and driving inclusive economic growth.
Edun made this known when he received a high-level delegation from Lotus Capital Limited, led by its Managing Director, Mrs. Hajara Adeola, as part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to explore innovative financing solutions to stimulate growth, create jobs, and address funding gaps in key sectors.
He praised the company’s leadership in promoting ethical and non-interest financing in Nigeria, noting that stronger public-private collaboration could unlock long-term funding for national development.
“Collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential to mobilising sustainable, long-term capital for national development,” Edun said.
The meeting explored strategies to deepen the non-interest finance market, including the creation of a Non-Interest Real Estate Investment Fund and a regular sovereign sukuk issuance programme.
These instruments are expected to attract more ethical investment into critical infrastructure, boost market liquidity, and widen access to finance for under-served communities.
Edun stressed that innovative financing models such as non-interest products align with the government’s economic priorities and offer viable alternatives to traditional debt instruments.
Mrs. Adeola, in her remarks, reaffirmed Lotus Capital’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government to expand the scope and reach of the non-interest finance market.
She emphasised that such collaboration would not only attract investment but also promote financial inclusion in Nigeria.
