Nigeria–UK Agriculture & Investment Forum Advances Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Investment
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM | 18 MARCH 2026
The African Business Roundtable (ABR) – West Africa Chapter partnered with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to organise the Nigeria–UK Agriculture & Investment Forum, which was held in London on 18 March 2026.
The forum featured the participation of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who conveyed the Federal Government’s message on mobilising investment to build climate-resilient food systems and expand sustainable agricultural production.
Hosted at the Chartwell Ballroom, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, the forum brought together government representatives, financial institutions, agribusiness leaders, development finance institutions and investors to explore opportunities for strengthening agricultural development and investment cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The forum was held under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Financing Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Nigeria” and took place during the period of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK.
Strengthening the Investment Case for Nigerian Agriculture
Nigeria’s agricultural sector offers significant opportunities across production, processing, storage, logistics, mechanisation, irrigation and agricultural technology. Unlocking this potential requires improved access to finance, stronger partnerships and greater participation by domestic and international investors.
In his address, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, highlighted Nigeria’s agricultural potential and called for greater participation by investors, financial institutions and development partners. He emphasised that public financing alone would not be sufficient to bridge the agricultural investment gap, and that private capital and development finance would be essential to scaling up climate-smart technologies and strengthening resilient agricultural value chains.
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, addressing the Forum.
The forum also featured remarks by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Mr Ayo Sotinrin, who underscored the importance of strategic partnerships and increased capital mobilisation in unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential. He emphasised the need to bridge existing financing gaps by strengthening collaboration among government institutions, financial institutions, development partners and private-sector investors.
His contribution highlighted the Bank of Agriculture’s role in facilitating access to finance and supporting the development of a more productive, inclusive and resilient agricultural sector. He also emphasised the importance of mobilising investment to strengthen agricultural value chains, expand opportunities for agribusinesses, and enhance the capacity of farmers and other agricultural enterprises to scale up their operations.
Priority Areas for Investment and Collaboration
- Climate-resilient agriculture: Climate-smart farming practices, resilient seed systems and technologies that help farmers respond to changing weather conditions.
- Agricultural financing: Innovative financing structures, improved access to capital and risk-sharing mechanisms for farmers and agribusinesses.
- Mechanisation and irrigation: Modern equipment, irrigation systems and services to improve productivity and support all-season farming.
- Agro-processing and value addition: Processing capacity, storage infrastructure and market access for Nigerian agricultural products.
- Logistics and supply chains: Commodity aggregation, post-harvest handling, cold storage and distribution systems.
- Public-private partnerships: Stronger connections between Nigerian institutions, agribusinesses, international investors and technical partners.
ABR’s Role in Advancing Private-Sector Collaboration
ABR’s participation reflects its broader commitment to promoting African enterprise, facilitating trade and investment, and strengthening engagement among businesses, policymakers and development institutions. Platforms of this nature create opportunities to build relationships, share investment priorities and encourage cooperation across agricultural value chains.
The forum aligned with ABR’s focus on private-sector growth, trade and investment facilitation, regional integration and strategic partnerships. Its discussions highlighted the importance of turning dialogue into practical collaboration that supports food security, enterprise development, employment and sustainable economic growth.
From Dialogue to Investment Outcomes
Realising the opportunities identified requires continued engagement among government institutions, financial services providers, investors, agribusinesses and development partners. It also requires appropriate financing mechanisms, effective risk management, supportive policies and stronger connections between producers and markets.
The Nigeria–UK Agriculture & Investment Forum contributed to the continuing conversation on how investment and international cooperation can help unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential. ABR remains committed to supporting initiatives that facilitate private-sector engagement and strengthen the partnerships needed to advance Africa’s economic transformation.
About the African Business Roundtable
The African Business Roundtable is a private-sector platform committed to promoting African business development, trade, investment, regional integration and constructive engagement between the private sector and policymakers. Through strategic partnerships and business-focused initiatives, ABR works to advance opportunities for African enterprises and support sustainable economic growth across the continent.
