African Century Leasing (ACL) disbursed $24 million last year in asset funding mainly for small-to-medium enterprises as it eyes to further capacitate the sector, which has potential to drive the economy. Its total lease book for the year was pegged at $33 million, a 13 percent increase from prior year’s $29 million. ACL chief executive Stan Matiza, said the financial services provider’s disbursements are mainly skewed towards the productive sector as they seek to enhance economic contribution through improved production in the sector as well as employment creation. “ACL closed the year with a lease book of $33 million, up from $29 million the previous year. New disbursements for the year 2017 amounted to $24,5 million,” said Mr Matiza by email. He added that the lender also provides funding for individuals although mainly biased towards the productive sectors especially agriculture mechanisation to boost food security. One of the clusters the lender provides funding for is the medical doctors’ scheme which Mr Matiza said had been popular among beneficiaries and remains a critical tool in retaining skills in the country.-Herald