Rebuilding the Breadbasket: African Development Bank and Partners Launch Report on Innovative Investment in Food Systems in Northern Nigeria

The African Development Bank, in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme and the International Food Policy Research Institute, has released a report urging coordinated and innovative investments to strengthen food security and unlock the agricultural potential of northern Nigeria. The report, "Investing in Innovative Food Systems Solutions in Challenging Contexts," provides a roadmap for revitalizing northern Nigeria's food systems and emphasizes the need for sustained, evidence-based investment to rebuild livelihoods and drive inclusive agricultural transformation in regions affected by fragility and conflict.

Key Takeaways:

• The report identifies actionable policy, institutional, and investment priorities that can accelerate agricultural recovery, restore livelihoods, and promote long-term resilience in northern Nigeria.
• The study focuses on eight key crops: sorghum, millet, maize, wheat, cowpeas, soybeans, groundnuts, and tomatoes - as strategic entry points for investment.
• The report maps production clusters, trade corridors, and supply chain costs, offering an evidence-based framework for policymakers and investors to catalyze inclusive growth in fragile contexts.
• The African Development Bank's agricultural portfolio in Nigeria currently stands at close to $900 million, channelled through flagship initiatives such as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) and the National Agriculture Growth Scheme (NAGS).
• The report calls for a shift toward market-led solutions, climate-smart agriculture, and public-private partnerships that can move communities beyond crisis response toward sustained recovery.
• Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, noted that farmers continue to rely on traditional storage systems because most national silos are located far from production hubs, and that the government is working to ensure that at least 80 percent of silos are sited in small farming communities.
• Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano, emphasized that long-term solutions require consistency and private-sector investment to tackle poverty in northern Nigeria.

Statistics:

• The African Development Bank's agricultural portfolio in Nigeria stands at close to $900 million.
• The report identifies eight key crops for investment: sorghum, millet, maize, wheat, cowpeas, soybeans, groundnuts, and tomatoes.
• The report maps production clusters, trade corridors, and supply chain costs to provide an evidence-based framework for policymakers and investors.
• At least 80 percent of national silos will be sited in small farming communities.

Sources:

• African Development Bank, "Rebuilding the breadbasket: African Development Bank, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) launch report on innovative investment in food systems in Northern Nigeria."
• M2 PressWIRE, "Rebuilding the breadbasket: African Development Bank, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) launch report on innovative investment in food systems in Northern Nigeria."