Nigeria agricultural financing and leasing

In late July 2026, the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority (ELRA) and Heifer International Nigeria announced an expanded partnership to provide equipment‑leasing services to young agripreneurs, offering tractors, irrigation systems, processing equipment, cold storage, delivery vehicles, renewable‑energy solutions and ICT tools on affordable lease terms. The initiative was presented at the closing ceremony of the fifth Agriculture, Youth and Technology (AYuTe) Challenge and aimed to shift Nigerian farming from subsistence to technology‑driven commercial agriculture.

A few weeks later, the Bank of Agriculture launched a single‑digit interest loan programme for smallholder farmers in Jigawa State, supplying improved seeds, fertiliser and agro‑chemicals at a 9% rate. Simultaneously, ELRA and Heifer signed a two‑year memorandum to extend equipment leasing to farmers in Benue, Nasarawa, Ogun and Edo states, using flexible lease‑to‑own models under Heifer’s Naija Unlock Programme. Together, the loan and leasing schemes broadened financial support and equipment access for farmers, cooperatives, women and young agripreneurs across the country, reinforcing food‑security and value‑chain development.