Annual Progress Report FY 2023: Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity

The activity is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and has a period of performance from December 17, 2018, to December 16, 2023. The activity focuses on four components: Improved Agribusiness Enabling Environment, Broaden Access to Agribusiness Finance, Facilitate Investment, and Enhance Agribusiness MSME Performance. Component 1 aims to improve the business environment for agribusiness, while Component 2 seeks to increase access to finance for agribusinesses. Component 3 focuses on facilitating investment in the agribusiness sector, and Component 4 aims to enhance the performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in agribusiness. The activity has made significant progress in improving the agribusiness enabling environment. The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has been strengthened, and the Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative (ACOR) has been appointed. The activity has also supported the development of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan (NATIP) and the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP). In terms of access to finance, the activity has supported the development of the Agriculture Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) and the Micro-Enterprise Fundamentals (MEF) program. The activity has also provided technical assistance to financial institutions to improve their lending to agribusinesses. The activity has also facilitated investment in the agribusiness sector through the provision of technical assistance to investors and the development of investment opportunities. The activity has also supported the development of the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) and the Global Food Safety Certification (GFSC). In terms of enhancing agribusiness MSME performance, the activity has provided technical assistance to MSMEs to improve their productivity and competitiveness. The activity has also supported the development of the Women Agribusiness Incubation Program (WAGIP) and the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN). The activity has also made significant progress in promoting the engagement of women and youth in agribusiness. The activity has supported the development of the African Women in Animal Resources Farming and Agribusiness Network (AWARFA-N) and the Nigerian Association of Women in Agriculture (NAWIA). The activity has also provided technical assistance to youth-led agribusinesses to improve their productivity and competitiveness. In terms of sustainability, the activity has developed a sustainability plan to ensure the long-term impact of the activity. The activity has also established a community of practice to share knowledge and best practices among stakeholders. The activity has also made significant progress in environmental compliance, youth development, policy and governance support, local capacity development, public private partnership impacts, conflict mitigation, science, technology, and innovation impacts, communications, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, stakeholder participation and involvement, and management and administrative issues. However, the activity has faced several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the implementation of the activity. The activity has also faced challenges in accessing finance for agribusinesses and in developing the enabling environment for agribusiness. Overall, the Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity has made significant progress in improving the enabling environment for agribusiness in Nigeria and has contributed to the development of the agribusiness sector in the country.