Nigerian Agric-SMEs Seek Growth and Sustainable Funding at EDC-AGRA Forum in Lagos
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria’s agricultural sector are exploring new pathways for growth, funding, and business expansion following a high-impact networking forum organised by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The two-day event, themed “Funding the Future: Powering Nigeria’s Agric-SMEs,” brought together key players in the agricultural value chain, including financial institutions, business development experts, investors, and government representatives.
Held recently in Lagos, the forum served as a knowledge exchange hub for agricultural entrepreneurs, offering practical strategies for accessing finance, improving operational efficiency, and scaling sustainably. EDC’s Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services, Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, said the Centre remains committed to helping agribusiness owners thrive through mentorship, partnerships, and capacity development. “We are utilising business development service providers to support small businesses on the AGRA platform and explore how they can be funded, not just any funding, but sustainable funding for the future,” she noted.
Dr. Ugwu further explained that EDC’s role goes beyond providing capital access. “We train entrepreneurs, hand-hold them, and create an enabling environment for them to thrive. While we don’t disburse funds directly, we link SMEs to organisations offering grants and seed funding,” she added. The collaborative model, according to EDC, helps bridge the gap between innovative agribusiness ideas and financial institutions willing to support them.
On his part, Dr. Rufus Idris, Country Director of AGRA, emphasized the importance of strengthening the agricultural ecosystem to support SMEs. “We’re here to reinforce the network of Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) that empower agric-SMEs with the skills and support needed to grow,” he said. Idris highlighted that the AGRA-EDC partnership aligns with Nigeria’s long-term goals of increasing agricultural output, boosting food security, and reducing post-harvest losses across the country.
Participants, including Israel Yusuf, CEO of Doctor Fish Agric Consult, lauded the initiative as a timely intervention for entrepreneurs in the agriculture value chain. “This is a timely intervention, bringing together actors across the value chain to focus on solutions,” Yusuf said. The event featured panel discussions, strategy sessions, and networking opportunities that showcased success stories from thriving agricultural SMEs. Through platforms like the EDC-AGRA Forum, Nigerian agric-entrepreneurs are gaining the tools, partnerships, and insights needed to secure funding and drive sustainable growth in the nation’s vital agricultural sector.
source: punch