The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $310 million financial package to FirstRand Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in Africa. This support will significantly increase access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized business enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on women-led businesses and agribusinesses in ...

More than 1.5 million smallholder farmers and 500 agro-dealers and cooperatives are expected to benefit. WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, October 27, 2025/ — The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) has announced the first allocation from its new private sector financing window to the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org), providing $14 million ...

By Brandon Moss The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) has made its first capital allocation under the Business Investment Financing Track (BIFT), committing $14 million to the African Development Bank (AfDB) as the start of a broader effort to unlock more than $200 million in private-sector finance for African smallholders. The allocation funds ...

Zambian ministers credit African Development Fund for fertilizer self- sufficiency boost, increased capacity for 250,000 new skilled workers LUSAKA, Zambia, October 11, 2025/ — Concessional financing from the African Development Fund (ADF) has been transformative for Zambia’s agriculture and education sectors, while “anchoring peace, prosperity, and regional competitiveness.” ADF deputies, who are gathered in Zambia’s ...

“Investing in Innovative Food Systems Solutions in Challenging Contexts,” provides a roadmap for revitalizing northern Nigeria’s food systems ABUJA, Nigeria, October 11, 2025/ –– The African Development Bank (https://AfDB.org), in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), has released a new study urging coordinated and ...

The Nigerian Government has obtained renewed financial backing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to launch Phase 2 of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative. This next phase aims to extend climate-resilient infrastructure and inclusive agro-industrial development to 24 additional states, building on the initial rollout in eight states and the Federal Capital Territory. ...

The new strategy aims to address these vulnerabilities by unlocking private sector growth, creating sustainable employment, and building stronger institutions. MASERU, Lesotho, September 24, 2025/ — The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a new $209 million Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Lesotho, setting out a roadmap to accelerate ...

By Brandon Moss  Lagos, Nigeria — In a landmark move to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, the African Development Bank (AfDB), in collaboration with global partners, has mobilised $2.2 billion to roll out Phase Two of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) initiative. The funding will support the development of agro-industrial hubs across 24 states, marking ...

Third groundbreaking in 2025 under Phase I of the Nigeria SAPZ Programme; first in the country’s southwest ABUJA, Nigeria, August 1, 2025/ — The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Oyo State Government will be joined by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ). ...

By Brandon Moss The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €100 million ($116.4 million) loan to bolster Morocco’s sustainable agriculture sector, with a strategic focus on empowering women, engaging youth, and improving climate resilience among smallholder farmers. Unveiled on Monday, the initiative seeks to strengthen food security in one of Africa’s most drought-vulnerable regions. ...