Nigeria expands leasing for young agripreneurs via ELRA‑Heifer partnership

The Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) and Heifer International Nigeria announced an expanded partnership to provide equipment‑leasing services to young agripreneurs in Nigeria. The initiative was unveiled at the closing ceremony of the fifth Agriculture, Youth and Technology (AYuTe) Challenge in Abuja.

ELRA CEO Donald Wokoma said the programme will allow entrepreneurs to acquire tractors, irrigation systems, processing equipment, cold storage, delivery vehicles, renewable‑energy solutions and ICT tools through affordable lease arrangements, freeing them from upfront capital costs. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Aliyu Abdullahi stressed that government policies will complement the partnership by improving access to land, credit and modern inputs, aiming to shift Nigeria from subsistence farming to technology‑driven commercial agriculture. Heifer International’s country director Lekan Tobe reaffirmed the commitment to mentor and fund innovative youth‑led agricultural projects.

The collaboration brings together leasing firms, financial institutions, equipment manufacturers and development partners to boost agricultural productivity, create jobs and support national food security.