NADF, JICA Explore New Funding Model for Nigerian Agriculture

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has begun discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on a proposed Agricultural Finance Two-Step Loan Project aimed at improving access to funding for farmers and agribusinesses in Nigeria.

The meeting, held at the NADF headquarters in Abuja, brought together officials of both organisations to explore possible areas of collaboration. The NADF team was led by the General Manager, Partnerships and Investor Relations, Mr Nasir Ingawa, while the @jica_direct_en delegation was headed by Mr Hideaki Hiruta, Team Leader for Two-Step Loan Planning.

During the discussions, NADF officials explained the Fund’s lending and blended finance models, which are designed to reduce risks for commercial banks and improve credit access for players in the agricultural value chain.

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The JICA team also outlined the framework for the proposed facility, expected to provide medium and long-term financing to agricultural producers through participating financial institutions.

The preparatory survey for the project is expected to run until July 2026 and will help shape the final structure of the programme. Priority crops identified under the initiative include rice, maize, cassava, millet, sesame and oil palm.