A Nigerian asset management firm is betting that ethical investing and small business financing can solve the same problem at once.

Alpha10 Fund Management Limited officially launched its Alpha10 Halal Fund in Abuja on Wednesday — a Shari'ah-compliant investment product designed to expand financial inclusion and channel regulated capital toward micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

What the Fund Offers

The fund is structured as an open-ended investment vehicle, meaning investors can top up their holdings at any time.

Key terms at a glance:

Funds will be invested in Sukuk instruments and other Shari'ah-compliant assets, with active portfolio management strategies applied to optimise returns.

The MSME Connection

Managing Director and CEO Abigail Utomi was direct about the fund's dual purpose — it is not just an investment product, it is a pipeline for business funding.

Many Nigerian MSMEs are locked out of regulated financing not because they lack potential, but because they lack the structure to qualify. Alpha10's advisory and investment banking arm will work with entrepreneurs to make their businesses bankable and investment-grade before they approach capital markets.

"If you need to structure a product to bring your business to market — to put it in a state where it is bankable and investment grade — we could support you through that," Utomi said.

Not Just for Muslims

Board Chairman Chibuzo Ekwekwuo was quick to address a common misconception.

Halal investment products are often perceived as exclusively Islamic — but Ekwekwuo and the Alpha10 team pushed back on that framing. The fund's ethical investment principles, inflation-hedging structure, and tangible asset focus make it relevant to any investor seeking values-aligned returns.

Regional Head (North) Dr Muhammad Ardo reinforced this point, noting that the fund is designed to protect investors against inflation by anchoring its portfolio in real, ethical assets.

The Bigger Ambition

Alpha10 currently manages approximately N3 billion across its existing investment funds.

The firm has set a target of N50 billion in assets under management within the next five years. The Halal Fund alone is projected to surpass N10 billion over the same period.

Beyond the Halal Fund, Utomi revealed that the company is also exploring an informal sector fund and a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) — both aimed at segments of the economy that traditional wealth managers have historically overlooked.

Why It Matters

Nigeria's MSME financing gap remains one of the most persistent structural challenges in the economy. Most small businesses rely on informal credit — high-cost, short-term, and largely unregulated.

Products like the Alpha10 Halal Fund represent a different model: regulated, ethical, and accessible from as little as N1,000.

For entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their financial footing before approaching investors, our guide on how to get out of debt fast is a practical starting point. Those exploring funding options beyond traditional banks will also find value in our breakdown of business funding with no bank and no debt.

Reported by the WealthBlueprint NewsDesk. All figures sourced from Alpha10 Fund Management Limited official statements. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.