By Brandon Moss

ThriveAgric, a leading agritech firm, in collaboration with Crust Microfinance Bank, has launched a multi-state advocacy campaign aimed at advancing financial inclusion and agribusiness opportunities for youth and women across Nigeria. The initiative, backed by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE), is set to empower 1,500 beneficiaries through targeted support in five key states: Kaduna, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, and Plateau.

At the Kaduna leg of its Annual Gender and Youth Advocacy Event, ThriveAgric reported that over 1,200 individuals have already benefited from the programme. Themed “From Potential to Opportunity: Driving Gender-Inclusive Youth Employment,” the event convened policymakers, private sector leaders, and grassroots participants to explore pathways for transitioning from subsistence farming to sustainable agribusiness.

Uzoma Alika, Head of Operations at ThriveAgric, described the event as a “powerful demonstration” of inclusive investment. He emphasized that the initiative extends beyond training, cultivating a network of community-based advocates committed to driving inclusive growth.

The programme integrates ThriveAgric’s digital agriculture platforms with Crust MFB’s customized financial services, creating a supportive ecosystem for economic empowerment. Beneficiaries shared success stories of accessing credit, adopting climate-smart farming techniques, and entering structured markets—transforming their ventures from small-scale operations into profitable enterprises.

The Kaduna event concluded with a unified call for deeper stakeholder collaboration to scale the initiative and embed youth and women at the heart of Nigeria’s agricultural and economic development agenda.