The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has advocated for a fundamental shift toward innovative, long-term financing frameworks to overhaul Africa’s agricultural ecosystem.
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim has called for a new financial architecture to coordinate public, private and donor funds toward transforming food systems across Africa.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Ibrahim emphasized during a plenary session titled “Aligning Investment to Fast-Track CAADP Objectives” that African countries must look beyond traditional funding methods. Instead, he advocated for structured financing systems that align directly with national goals, reduce risk, and attract private sector investment.
Ibrahim pointed out that the main challenge facing African agricultural financing is not necessarily a total lack of money, but rather the fragmentation of existing capital and a lack of organized structures to coordinate investments.
To fix this gap, the NADF is working to identify clear national priorities, de-risk agricultural projects and create bankable investment pipelines that appeal to commercial lenders. He stressed that government and public resources should be strategically used to encourage and pull in private capital rather than push it away.
The NADF chief also urged a shift in how agricultural programs are judged. Rather than measuring success purely by the total amount of money spent or committed, interventions should be evaluated based on their real impact on the ground. He noted that real progress means seeing increased crop yields, higher farmer profitability, stronger business participation and better overall livelihoods.
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Supporting this approach, Ana Maria Loboguerrero Director of Adaptive and Equitable Food Systems at the Gates Foundation explained that philanthropic funding plays a crucial role by taking early, higher risks on innovative farming solutions. This initial patient capital helps build evidence and reduce operational risks, making projects much safer and more attractive for mainstream commercial investors later on.
