In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has launched an innovative platform designed to expand access to finance and growth opportunities for agribusinesses across the country.
The initiative, themed “Funding the Future: Powering Nigeria’s Agric-SMEs,” was introduced at a two-day networking forum in Lagos that brought together entrepreneurs, investors, government representatives, and business service providers to discuss practical strategies for scaling agricultural enterprises.
The gathering featured panel discussions, interactive sessions, and case studies highlighting the resilience and innovation of local agribusinesses navigating Nigeria’s evolving food ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services at EDC, reaffirmed the Centre’s mission to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and partnerships needed to attract sustainable investment.
“Our goal is to help small agribusinesses secure financing that truly drives long-term impact,” Ugwu said. “Through our collaboration with AGRA, we’re leveraging business development service providers to prepare entrepreneurs for credible funding and connect them directly with financiers and grant providers.”
She emphasized that while the Centre does not directly provide funding, it focuses on capacity building, mentorship, and linking SMEs to funding networks capable of fueling their expansion.
Representing AGRA, Dr. Rufus Idris, the organisation’s Country Director for Nigeria, described the partnership as a vital step toward strengthening the agricultural enterprise ecosystem and ensuring SMEs receive tailored support from business development service providers.
“We’re working to create stronger connections between small businesses and the institutions that can help them grow,” Idris explained. “Transforming Nigeria’s food systems requires empowering not only farmers but also the private-sector players who drive production, processing, and distribution.”
He added that addressing challenges such as limited finance, high energy costs, poor market access, and post-harvest losses is key to achieving the nation’s food security goals.
For participants, the event served as both an inspiration and a practical roadmap for navigating Nigeria’s complex agribusiness landscape. Israel Yusuf, CEO of Doctor Fish Agric Consult, commended EDC for fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders.
“This is a timely initiative,” Yusuf said. “It’s encouraging to see a platform that unites all actors in the value chain to identify real solutions and create shared opportunities.”
With this partnership, EDC and AGRA aim to create a robust support system that enables agricultural SMEs to attract investors, scale sustainably, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
