The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, in partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has launched an exclusive networking platform designed to link agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with critical players in the sector.
The event, themed "Funding the Future: Powering Nigeria's Agric-SMEs", held recently in Lagos, brought together entrepreneurs, financial institutions, investors, and business development service providers (BDSPs) to explore strategies for funding, scaling, and sustaining agric-SMEs.
Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services at EDC, reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to empowering SMEs beyond training. "We don't give money, but we prepare SMEs to be investment-ready and connect them to those who can provide grants and seed funding," she said.
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AGRA's Country Director, Dr. Rufus Idris, noted that strengthening BDSPs is key to transforming Nigeria's food system. "Agric-SMEs face challenges with access to finance, markets, and efficiency. By building their capacity and linking them to the right support, they can scale and contribute to food security," he explained.
The two-day engagement featured panel discussions, funding opportunities, and success stories from thriving SMEs, highlighting practical solutions for business growth.
Participants, including Israel Yusuf of Doctor Fish Agric Consult, applauded the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that connects key actors in Nigeria's agric value chain with solutions-driven conversations.
