LAPO Microfinance Bank, a longstanding pillar of Africa’s financial inclusion movement, has reached a historic milestone—exceeding ₦1 trillion in cumulative loan disbursements. This remarkable achievement reaffirms LAPO’s status not only as one of Africa’s most impactful microfinance institutions, but also as the best in integrity and customer service—values that have been central to its success for nearly four decades.
Founded in 1987 as the Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), the institution began as a humble nonprofit focused on empowering rural women and underserved communities. Over the years, it has grown into a robust financial institution with over 535 branches across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory, offering life-changing financial services to millions.
Since securing its microfinance banking license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2010, LAPO has expanded significantly, now serving over six million clients nationwide. With a loan portfolio of ₦106.2 billion, customer deposits of ₦59.2 billion, and total assets exceeding ₦124 billion, LAPO continues to set industry standards for financial resilience, operational excellence, and client-centric service.
LAPO’s enduring commitment to economic empowerment—particularly for women has made it a trusted partner in the fight against poverty. In 2024 alone, the bank disbursed ₦237 billion in microloans to women-led businesses, underlining its leading role in gender-focused financial inclusion.
“We are proud of the transformational impact we’ve had across Nigeria,” said Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, founder of LAPO. “Our mission has always been to build a more inclusive economy—especially for women and low-income households.”
From micro-entrepreneurs in rural villages to traders in semi-urban markets, LAPO’s loan products are designed to meet people where they are and help them grow.
While staying true to its grassroots mission, LAPO is embracing digital transformation to enhance customer convenience and trust. The bank recently launched a user-friendly mobile banking app that enables customers to apply for microloans from ₦20,000, make deposits, and carry out secure transactions from their smartphones.
In partnership with global technology providers like Oracle, LAPO has also deployed cutting-edge core banking systems, delivering greater scalability, data security, and efficiency—further reinforcing its reputation for transparency, accountability, and customer responsiveness.
LAPO’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals sets it apart as a development-focused financial institution. The bank provides green loans to support clean energy access for low-income households, while also investing in environmental initiatives such as tree planting, waste management, and water and sanitation projects across Nigeria.
In education, LAPO has awarded over ₦65 million in scholarships to indigent students, advancing opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
The bank’s consistent performance, ethical standards, and client-centric approach have earned it widespread acclaim. LAPO has been named “Microfinance Bank of the Year” multiple times at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and has received several commendations from the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) for its outstanding support to MSMEs and women entrepreneurs.
With its ₦1 trillion milestone, LAPO joins an elite class of African institutions driving transformative change through finance.
As Nigeria and Africa face growing economic challenges, LAPO Microfinance Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusive, ethical, and customer-friendly banking. With plans to scale its digital platforms, diversify financial products, and extend its ESG programs, LAPO is positioning itself to empower even more lives across the continent.
From its humble beginnings to its current leadership status, LAPO’s journey is a powerful story of resilience, integrity, and impact. It stands today as Africa’s most trusted microfinance bank—celebrated for not only what it does, but how it does it.
