By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has partnered with Growtech West Africa to improve access to agricultural finance, modern technology and industry expertise in a move aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening food security in Nigeria.
The collaboration was announced ahead of the inaugural Growtech West Africa exhibition, scheduled to take place in Lagos from January 26 to 28, 2027.
The partnership will connect Nigerian agribusinesses with international agricultural technology providers, investors and industry experts to promote innovation, strengthen agricultural value chains and expand business opportunities.
NADF Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Ibrahim, said transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector required effective collaboration among financial institutions, technology providers, experts and agribusinesses.
He said the exhibition would provide opportunities for Nigerian agricultural enterprises to access modern technologies and international expertise capable of improving productivity, creating economic opportunities and building a more resilient food system.
Ibrahim added that the fund’s support for the initiative reflected its commitment to partnerships that expand opportunities across the agricultural sector.
Established by the Federal Government under the NADF Act 2022, the fund seeks to address financing constraints in agriculture while supporting innovation, research, capacity building and the adoption of modern farming practices.
Commercial and Strategy Director of InD Group, Alan Kelly, described Nigeria as a significant market for Growtech West Africa because of its agricultural diversity, market size and influence across the region.
Kelly said the launch of the exhibition reflected confidence in Nigeria’s agricultural potential and the opportunities available across its value chains.
Similarly, Growtech Portfolio Exhibition Director, Engin Er, said West Africa represented an important growth market, citing the scale of its agricultural sector and ongoing transformation.
The exhibition will feature businesses and technologies covering seeds and seedlings, plant nutrition and protection, irrigation, greenhouse systems, agricultural machinery, livestock, poultry, aquaculture, fisheries and food processing.
It will also host the Food Security and Sustainability Conference, bringing together policymakers, investors, agribusiness leaders, researchers and technology providers to discuss agricultural financing, productivity, technology adoption and climate resilience.
The initiative comes as agricultural businesses increasingly seek modern solutions to improve efficiency, expand production and strengthen Nigeria’s food supply chain.
