Abuja, Nigeria – The World Bank has approved a $500 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value‑Chains for Growth (AGROW) Project, aimed at boosting smallholder productivity, strengthening value chains, and improving food and nutrition security.
The six‑year programme runs from 2026 to 2032 and is expected to crowd in an additional $220 million in private agribusiness investment.
Okay News reports the financing will support measures to increase yields, link farmers to markets and agribusinesses, and modernise post‑harvest handling and agro‑processing. The World Bank said the project could benefit up to one million smallholder farmers by improving aggregation, market access, and value‑chain linkages for staple crops such as rice, maize, cassava and soybeans.
The AGROW programme will provide a results‑based matching grant facility to agribusinesses that commit to sourcing from smallholders, prioritising investments that reduce post‑harvest losses and expand processing capacity. Key components include strengthening seed and fertiliser regulatory frameworks, increasing early‑generation seed supply, supporting private production of high‑quality seeds, and improving access to quality fertilisers.
Digital tools are central to the project: a national digital farm and farmer registry will be established, and farmers will receive digital advisory services, including localised weather and climate information to boost resilience to environmental shocks. The initiative also aims to mobilise private capital by promoting transparent land‑based investments and improving market linkages.
The World Bank described AGROW as a transformative step to shift Nigeria’s agriculture from subsistence to commercially viable systems that create jobs and enhance food security. The loan follows other recent World Bank financing for Nigeria, including a separate $500 million package to expand MSME credit access, underscoring continued multilateral support for economic recovery and inclusive growth.
 credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value‑Chains for Growth (AGROW) Project, aimed at boosting smallholder productivity, strengthening value chains, and improving food and nutrition security.){kind=link}