Africa Urged to Build Agricultural Innovation Ecosystems

During the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for Agricultural Research, Development and Innovation (AR4D) at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim, called for African governments to build innovation ecosystems rather than merely increasing funding for agricultural research. They argued that successful agricultural transformation requires effective connections between research institutions, government, and industry.

Ibrahim stated that financing is not the primary challenge; rather, it is the need for a functional agricultural innovation ecosystem supported by government policies, research knowledge, and industry capabilities. He outlined NADF's diversified funding structure and its three major financing instruments: debt financing, grants, and equity investments.

Senator Kyari noted that the establishment of NADF was a strategic move to address underinvestment in agricultural research and promote sustainable growth in the sector.