NADF, IDH, and BOA Team Up to Empower Women Agripreneurs in Nigeria
Photo credit:The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF)
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has partnered with IDH and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to support young women and youth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Women in Sourcing and Enterprise (WISE) Programme Kick-Off in Lagos, aiming to improve access to affordable finance for participants in the cassava value chain.
Unlocking Access to Affordable Finance
Access to finance is one of the biggest challenges facing smallholder farmers and agribusiness SMEs, especially young women. Limited collateral, high interest rates, and lack of tailored financial products often prevent them from growing their businesses.
Through this collaboration, NADF, IDH, and BOA will:
- Facilitate agricultural credit for youth and women agripreneurs.
- Co-develop a Seed Capital Facility to help start or scale businesses.
- Establish mechanisms for affordable and blended financing options across the agricultural value chain.
“Access to finance remains one of the key barriers for young agripreneurs. With this collaboration, we are catalysing new opportunities that will enable them to participate meaningfully across the cassava value chain.” — Daan Wensing, CEO of IDH
How to Be Part of the Initiative
Young women and youth interested in participating in the WISE Programme or accessing financing can:
- Visit the official NADF or BOA websites to check eligibility and application details.
- Apply for funding through the Seed Capital Facility or BOA’s agricultural loans.
- Participate in training and capacity-building sessions under the WISE Programme to improve productivity and enterprise management skills.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy under the Nigerian Food Systems Transformation Alliance, which aims to promote food security, strengthen local sourcing, and create sustainable jobs.
By combining NADF’s financing support, BOA’s co-financing capabilities, and IDH’s global network, this partnership is opening doors for youth and women agripreneurs. It provides the financial tools and guidance needed to grow enterprises, boost productivity, and contribute to Nigeria’s food security.
