UK’S BII INVESTS $7.5M IN NIGERIAN AGRIC-TECH FIRM TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE

British International Investment commits $7.5m to Babban Gona, empowering northern Nigeria’s smallholder farmers with finance, training, and climate-smart tools

Babban gona British international investment Nigerian agriculture

BII & Baba Gona
BII & Baba Gona

The British International Investment (BII), the United Kingdom’s development finance institution, has announced a $7.5 million investment in Babban Gona, a leading Nigerian agri-tech platform. The move is aimed at tackling food insecurity and boosting climate resilience for smallholder farmers in northern Nigeria.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, who disclosed this during a press briefing, explained that although the region produces up to 60 per cent of Nigeria’s maize, farmers face persistent challenges such as limited access to finance, quality inputs, agronomic training, and markets. He noted that climate risks like droughts and floods, coupled with post-harvest losses of up to 30 per cent, threaten productivity and deepen food insecurity.

Baxter said Babban Gona’s Artificial Intelligence-powered platform is designed to provide end-to-end services for farmers, including access to credit, high-quality inputs, training in climate-smart practices, as well as support in harvesting, storage, and market access. Through its franchise model, top-performing farmers can run micro-enterprises that supply inputs and financing, enabling them to scale and secure local bank funding.

By 2029, Babban Gona is expected to impact around 140,000 smallholder farmers, improving yields, incomes, and resilience to climate shocks. The investment will also support the rollout of climate-smart solutions such as drought-resistant seeds and multi-peril insurance to safeguard livelihoods.

UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi, described the partnership as a milestone that builds on years of UK support for Babban Gona. She stressed that the initiative reflects the UK-Nigeria commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Babban Gona’s Managing Director, Kola Masha, welcomed the investment, describing it as a powerful endorsement of the company’s mission to become one of the world’s most impactful businesses.

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