FG, IFAD partner GCA on climate change, resilience, adaptation in Northern Nigeria

FG, IFAD & GCA Launch Climate-Resilient Value Chain Programme to Boost Northern Nigeria’s Agribusiness Sector
In a strategic move to scale up food production and fortify rural economies, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), has launched a climate resilience technical assistance programme for agricultural value chains in Northern Nigeria. The initiative, under the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN), is set to enhance agribusiness outcomes through a climate-smart, inclusive, and market-driven approach.

Announced at a national workshop in Abuja, the technical support — to be implemented by Genesis Analytics — is expected to strengthen smallholder value chains, drive rural transformation, and increase investment in digital innovations and climate adaptation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, highlighted that this partnership supports the federal government’s food security drive under President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural emergency declaration, as well as the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The VCN, co-financed by IFAD, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Nigerian government, will operate across nine northern states — Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. These states represent a significant portion of Nigeria’s agrifood production belt but are also highly vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions.

The programme aligns with key national and international strategies, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2023–2027) and the IFAD Nigeria Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP 2024–2029).

Importantly, it will enable stakeholders to understand climate vulnerabilities, implement climate-smart solutions, and improve access to climate financing, all while promoting inclusivity among women, youth, and marginalized farmer groups.
Source: Vanguard

Agri-Food Expert Review for Stakeholders:
Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Northern Nigeria’s Agribusiness through Climate-Resilient Value Chains
As agri-food stakeholders assess this new initiative, several strategic insights and opportunities emerge:

1. High-Potential Agribusiness Investment Zones
   With the VCN targeting nine agriculturally rich but climate-challenged states, agri-food investors, processors, and service providers have a clear roadmap to align with a government-supported transformation effort. These states are now priority zones for climate-smart agribusiness interventions.
2. Value Chain Upgrading with Climate Focus
   The emphasis on climate vulnerability assessments and value chain adaptation strategies presents an opportunity for private sector actors — including agritech firms, financial institutions, and input suppliers — to plug into evolving value chains by offering: Resilient seed varieties, Climate-smart irrigation solutions, Digital advisory tools and Post-harvest management technologies
3. Multi-Actor Partnerships are Essential
   The broad participation — from the FAO, AfDB, WFP, Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, and Nigerian government agencies — signals a collaborative framework. Stakeholders should leverage these partnerships to drive co-investments, policy alignment, and program scalability.
4. Market Access & Inclusion
   VCN is not just about productivity; it prioritizes market connectivity, profitability, and inclusion. Agri-MSMEs, cooperatives, and youth-led enterprises should explore:

   Linkages to Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs)

   Partnerships with off-takers and aggregators

   Access to digital platforms for market intelligence and logistics

5. Climate Finance Mobilization
   A core component of the programme is to unlock climate finance through robust mobilization plans. Financial service providers, fintechs, and donor agencies should develop:

   Climate-adaptive loan products

   Blended financing models

   Index-based insurance schemes tailored to these value chains

6. Digital Innovation & Knowledge Transfer
   The implementation of the Digital Innovation Action Plan (DIAP) reinforces the role of agritech startups and digital solution providers. There’s a strong incentive to:

   Digitize farmer records

   Deploy early warning systems

   Build capacity through mobile and offline training solutions

Conclusion and Strategic Recommendation
The VCN-GCA-IFAD collaboration marks a critical evolution in how climate action intersects with agribusiness strategy in Nigeria. For stakeholders — from agri-input firms and processors to financiers and policy makers — this is a moment to align operational strategies with a broader climate-resilient national agenda.

We recommend:

• Private-sector alignment with VCN’s implementation roadmaps
• Stakeholder engagement in technical workshops and capacity-building sessions
• Agri-food SMEs to position for support under SAPZs and climate finance facilities

As Nigeria pushes toward a resilient, inclusive, and market-oriented food system, the time is now to invest, innovate, and collaborate for sustainable impact in Northern Nigeria’s agri-food value chains.