Moniepoint to Launch Second Informal Economy Report, Exposes Fragile Finances of Small Businesses

Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, a proudly Nigerian-founded and led financial institution, has announced the upcoming launch of the second edition of the Nigeria’s Informal Economy Report, scheduled to hold on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

According to preliminary insights from the report, 42 per cent of Nigeria’s informal sector operators lack sufficient savings to sustain their livelihoods for more than one month without income. This alarming statistic underscores the precarious financial condition of millions of small business owners and self-employed Nigerians who form the core of the nation’s economic activity.

The new study, which received strategic backing from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), builds on Moniepoint’s commitment to advancing data-driven research that illuminates the realities of Nigeria’s informal sector.

Nigeria’s informal economy, which accounts for over 80 per cent of total employment and contributes significantly to national productivity, serves as a lifeline for millions excluded from formal employment structures. Yet, it remains largely underserved in access to finance, regulation, and social protection mechanisms.

Speaking ahead of the report launch, Mr. Babatunde Olofin, Managing Director of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, emphasized the critical importance of understanding this segment of the economy.

“The Informal Economy Report is a robust and important study that examines the informal market more closely and curates fresh insights into its realities. We believe its key outputs will serve ecosystem players and government well in policy direction and execution,” Olofin said.

The 2025 edition is expected to provide actionable insights that can guide policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions in designing targeted interventions to strengthen, empower, and gradually formalize the informal economy.

The launch event will convene top government officials, regulators, lawmakers, industry leaders, trade associations, academics, civil society representatives, and development partners. The programme will feature keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and data presentations on the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s informal economy. Participants are expected to explore strategies for building financial resilience, boosting productivity, and improving inclusion for informal sector operators.

The first edition of the Informal Economy Report, released in 2023, was widely commended by key institutions including the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), SMEDAN, and various business associations for its credible data and actionable policy recommendations that have helped shape national discourse on financial inclusion and MSME growth.

Experts say the forthcoming report could play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s economic reform agenda under the renewed drive to diversify and digitize the economy. By highlighting key barriers such as low savings, limited access to credit, and weak social safety nets, the report is expected to stimulate evidence-based policymaking and innovative financial solutions.

Moniepoint Microfinance Bank is set to launch the second edition of Nigeria’s Informal Economy Report in Abuja, revealing that 42% of informal sector operators can’t survive a month without income. The report aims to guide policymakers and strengthen financial inclusion.