RISE Opens Funding, Technical Support For Northern Women, Youth Agribusinesses

The Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems Empowering Women and Youth in Nigeria (RISE) Project has opened applications for women and youth-led agribusinesses in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano States to access financial and technical support to expand businesses, create jobs and promote climate-smart agriculture.

The initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) in partnership with Sahel Consulting, Development Exchange Centre, Emeraid Capital, Extension Africa, Women in Business Forum and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, launched its expression of interest (EoI) process as it enters the implementation phase of its five-year programme.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by e RISE communications lead, Feranmi Muibi, the project said the intervention is designed to strengthen agri-food systems in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano by addressing constraints in the rice, maize, soybean and groundnut value chains while driving inclusive economic growth.

The statement said eligible micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those owned or led by women and young people, are invited to apply for non-repayable, cost-shared financial support and tailored technical assistance to scale their operations.

RISE Project Manager, Maxwell Olitsa, described the programme as a new approach to financing agribusinesses in Northern Nigeria, noting that many entrepreneurs in the region have struggled to access growth-oriented funding.

“Northern Nigeria has no shortage of hardworking agripreneurs; what has been missing is a funding model that meets them where they are.

“RISE is not offering a conventional loan with conditions attached; it is offering a genuine partnership, and we are looking for women and youth agribusinesses that are ready to grow,” Olitsa said.

According to the statement, priority will be given to women-owned or women-led enterprises and youth-owned or youth-led businesses operated by individuals between the ages of 18 and 35.

It added that male-owned businesses are also eligible where women constitute at least 30 per cent of the workforce or management team, or where the businesses directly serve women and young people.

To qualify, applicants must be registered businesses or cooperatives that have operated for a minimum of two years, employ at least two staff members and demonstrate a commitment to gender inclusion and climate-smart agricultural practices.

The statement noted that applications would be assessed on a rolling basis and that registration is free.

Successful applicants will be eligible for a Matching Award, under which RISE will finance up to 50 per cent of approved investment costs, with beneficiaries providing the counterpart funding.

The project will also offer a Circular Economy Award, a performance-based incentive for businesses adopting environmentally sustainable practices such as waste recycling, emissions reduction and efficient resource utilisation.

Officially launched in January 2026, the RISE Project targets women, youth and agribusinesses across Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano states, with the goal of building resilient, inclusive and climate-smart agri-food systems that generate decent jobs and improve livelihoods.