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About This Initiative
The ‘Systems Strengthening for BDS Provision and Access to Finance for Agricultural SMEs in Nigeria’ is a 33-month consortium initiative running from 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2028. It is led by Kaduna Business School (KBS) in partnership with SMEDAN and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, with support from AGRA.
The project addresses the structural barriers that prevent Nigeria’s Agri-SMEs and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from reaching their potential. Nigeria’s agricultural sector employs over 35% of the national workforce, yet Agri-SMEs and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) — especially those led by women and youth — face a significant financing gap that stunts productivity, constrains rural incomes, and undermines food security. This initiative intervenes at the systemic level: professionalizing BDS provision, equipping government institutions, facilitating investor matchmaking, and building digital infrastructure for nationwide certification and training delivery. Women and youth-led agribusinesses are a primary focus throughout.
Pull Quote
This initiative represents more than a project. It is a systemic intervention designed to permanently change how agricultural business development services are conceived, delivered, and sustained across Nigeria.”
— Project Consortium Statement, July 2025
Project at a Glance
27+
Stakeholders Engaged at Launch
3
Consortium Partners Delivering Nationally
33 Mths
Programme Duration (Jul 2025 – Mar 2028)
Women & Youth
Priority Beneficiaries
Project Goal
The overall goal is to strengthen the performance and delivery of Business Development Services (BDS) and increase access to them for Agri-SMEs and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) operating across Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. Special emphasis is placed on increasing the uptake of structured BDS among women and youth-led Agri-SMEs, boosting their competitiveness, and unlocking access to agricultural finance on a national scale.
Specific Project Objectives
01 |
Improve the BDS ecosystem in Nigeria to enhance Agri-SMEs’ productivity and access to financial services. |
02 |
Increase the capacity of BDS providers to service Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and smallholder farmers across Nigeria. |
03 |
Increase the use of BDS, financial services, and market information by agricultural market actors and smallholder farmers, with special emphasis on women and youth. |
Core Strategic Pillars
Four interconnected pillars drive this initiative. All pillars prioritise women, youth, and smallholder farmers as primary beneficiaries.
Institutional Capacity Building
Strengthening the capabilities of government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to support MSME growth and create policy environments where agribusinesses can flourish. Training across multiple states, equipping officials with practical tools to better interface with SMEs in the agricultural sector.
Agri-SME Financial Inclusion
Bridging the gap between emerging agri-entrepreneurs with priority given to women and youth-led enterprises and Farmer Producer Organizations and the investors who can catalyze their growth. The Annual Agri-Invest Matchmaking Event, pitch competitions, and the Multi-Donor Cost-Sharing Facility (MDCF) create concrete financing pathways.
BDS Professionalization
Addressing critical competency gaps among Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) using the internationally recognized DACUM Occupational Analysis and SCID Curriculum Development methodologies. The result is a nationally accredited, competency-based professional standard for Agri-BDS practitioners applicable across Nigeria.
Digital Learning Innovation
Modernizing training and certification delivery through a fully upgraded Learning Management System (LMS) hosted at lms.kbs.edu.ng. The platform supports scalable programme delivery, real-time learner feedback, secure certification records, and multi-stream programme management for nationwide reach.
Target Beneficiaries
Agri-SMEs and FPOs
Agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises and Farmer Producer Organizations operating in Nigeria’s key agricultural value chains.
Women and Youth
Women and youth-led agribusinesses receive dedicated emphasis to boost their competitiveness and unlock access to agricultural finance nationwide.
Smallholder Farmers
Smallholder farmers who engage with market actors and BDS providers across AGRA’s programme states.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
By strengthening the BDS ecosystem and empowering key market actors over 33 months, the project will create a sustainable environment for agricultural growth across Nigeria. Anticipated outcomes include:
- A more effective and responsive network of BDS providers, equipped with nationally recognized competency credentials.
- Increased uptake of business and financial services by Agri-SMEs and FPOs.
- Measurable improvements in the productivity and competitiveness of targeted enterprises.
- Greater economic empowerment for women and youth engaged in agriculture.
- A replicable model for systemic BDS reform applicable across ECOWAS partner countries.
Our Consortium Partners
Sustainably growing Africa’s food systems.
Business education and capacity development in Nigeria.
Driving MSME growth across Nigeria.
Pan-Atlantic University — building and scaling entrepreneurs.
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