Sterling Bank's Financing in Agriculture Reaches N331.7bn

Sterling Bank's financing across five key sectors, as part of its HEART strategy, increased by 39% to N331.7 billion in 2025, with agriculture showing one of the strongest growths. Dele Faseemo, Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking at Sterling Bank, made this announcement at a press conference prior to the ninth Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA), scheduled for September 15-16, 2026, in Abuja.

The summit, themed “Building the Next Superpower: Africa’s Food Power Play,” aims to unite policymakers, investors, and agribusiness leaders to enhance Africa's food systems. Dr. Olushola Obikanye, Group Head, Agric Finance and Solid Minerals at Sterling Bank, emphasized the economic potential of Africa's agricultural sector, noting the continent's vast uncultivated arable land and the high costs of food imports.

Challenges such as inadequate financing and poor market access were identified as barriers to agricultural development. The ASA 2026 will feature various sessions aimed at converting agricultural opportunities into investments and jobs, supported by several development finance institutions and private-sector organizations.