The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a co-financing agreement to support the implementation of the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN).
The programme, a federal government initiative, is co-financed by IFAD, AFD and the governments of nine participating states: Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara.
It seeks to reduce poverty, improve nutrition and strengthen the resilience of rural communities through sustainable agricultural value chain development.
The organisations disclosed this in a joint statement made available to the NAN in Abuja on Saturday, saying the agreement marked a major milestone in the programme’s start-up.
IFAD Country Director, Mr Mohammed El-Ghazaly, said the partnership reaffirmed both institutions’ commitment to inclusive agricultural growth, improved rural livelihoods and resilient food systems.
He said the programme would strengthen food and nutrition security, increase rural household incomes and support rural transformation across northern Nigeria.
El-Ghazaly urged the Federal Government and the nine participating state governments to accelerate outstanding start-up activities ahead of the programme’s planned start-up workshop.
He said the agreement provided a coordinated implementation framework and clarified the responsibilities of the financing partners and implementing agencies.
According to him, IFAD will serve as the lead co-financier, providing technical, fiduciary, environmental and social support for AFD’s financing in line with the partnership framework between both institutions.
He said the agreement would streamline implementation procedures and strengthen the capacity of the lead implementing agency and programme coordination offices at national and state levels.
“The signing confirms the commitment of IFAD and AFD to working with the federal government and participating state governments to ensure its timely and effective implementation,” he said.
AFD Country Director Mr. Jacky Amprou said the agreement reflected the strategic partnership between both institutions and their commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to address rural poverty, food insecurity and vulnerability in the northern states.
He said the agreement was a significant step towards the full operationalisation of the programme.
Amprou said the framework would enable IFAD and AFD to jointly finance programme components and activities under agreed policies, procedures and accountability arrangements.
He said the arrangements were designed to promote efficiency, transparency and effective use of resources.
