The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has entered into a strategic partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to advance agricultural innovation and expand market access for Nigerian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The agreement, announced in Abuja, is designed to support MSMEs with innovative financial solutions, trade facilitation tools, and business development programs aimed at boosting productivity in the agricultural sector. According to the ACCI leadership, the initiative is part of a broader drive to enhance Nigeria’s non-oil exports and strengthen food systems through technology-driven enterprise support.
Under the collaboration, Afreximbank will provide tailored financing instruments and credit guarantees to help agribusinesses expand their operations across regional and international markets. ACCI, on its part, will mobilize local businesses, policy stakeholders, and development partners to ensure MSMEs can effectively participate in sustainable agricultural value chains.
The partnership will also promote digital trade integration by linking Nigerian enterprises to Afreximbank’s Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). This platform aims to reduce transaction costs and increase efficiency for businesses involved in intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Afreximbank officials emphasized that the partnership aligns with the bank’s mission to accelerate industrialization and economic growth across Africa through strategic financing and capacity building. By targeting agriculture—a key sector employing over 30% of Nigeria’s labor force—the initiative seeks to drive inclusive growth and long-term resilience.
Experts in agribusiness have welcomed the partnership as a timely intervention, citing Nigeria’s need to modernize its agricultural sector amid rising global food prices and supply chain disruptions. The program is expected to boost export competitiveness for local producers and foster greater adoption of climate-smart farming practices.
The ACCI also plans to use the partnership to establish innovation hubs and incubators that will nurture young entrepreneurs in agri-tech, logistics, and food processing. This effort, according to the chamber, will help close the financing gap for startups while improving food value chain efficiency.
Both institutions have expressed confidence that this partnership will serve as a model for public-private collaboration in Africa, unlocking agricultural potential and creating sustainable wealth for MSMEs and rural communities.