ThriveAgric showcases AYuTe project’s impact on empowering 125,000 farmers and youths in northern Nigeria
…Joins forces with crust microfinance bank to provide financial inclusion access
ThriveAgric, a leading agricultural technology company, today hosted a project showcase event to celebrate the achievements and future plans of its AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth and Technology) Project. The initiative, launched in collaboration with Heifer International and supported by Crust Microfinance Bank, is empowering 125,000 smallholder farmers with financial inclusion services, creating job opportunities for over 1,000 youths across eight northern Nigerian states including Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi.
The event, themed “Enabling Financial Inclusion for Smallholder Farmers,” brought together key stakeholders, partners, project beneficiaries, and community members to celebrate the achievements of the AYuTe Project and outline the roadmap for future progress.
The AYuTe Project directly addresses the challenge of financial exclusion faced by many smallholder farmers in Nigeria. By facilitating bank account opening, distributing debit cards, and establishing POS operators in rural communities, ThriveAgric, alongside Crust MFB, is increasing access to formal financial services for these underserved populations. This financial inclusion is a key driver for
improved access to finance, credit, and digital services, ultimately promoting increased productivity and economic empowerment for farmers.
While delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director, Crust MFB, a leading microfinance bank, Stephen Kanabe, emphasized the importance of community, gender inclusion, and agency banking in driving financial inclusion across Nigeria. “We are delighted to support ThriveAgric’s AYuTe Project and contribute financially to these underserved communities,” said Mr. Kanabe.
Commenting on the initiative, the Communications Manager, Heifer International, Chuba Ezeigwe says, “Inadequate access to financial services is a significant barrier for smallholder farmers. We are excited to invest in ThriveAgric’s solutions and contribute to scaling up an agritech innovation that confronts financial inclusion challenges faced by these farmers.”
The event featured presentations, panel discussions, and testimonials from project beneficiaries, including smallholder farmers, Business Service Agents (BSAs), and a Relationship Officer. So far, over 40,000 smallholder farmers now have bank accounts and debit cards and co-operative groups have also been set up through which input financing would be provided to enable further additionality for beneficiaries.
The AYuTe Project represents a significant step forward in ThriveAgric’s mission to build the largest network of profitable farmers in Africa and ensure food security on the continent. The project showcase highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to empowering smallholder farmers and their communities through financial inclusion and technological innovation.
For additional information or interview requests with a ThriveAgric spokesperson, please contact us via [email protected].
About ThriveAgric:
ThriveAgric is a fast-growing agricultural technology company passionate about ensuring food security. They empower smallholder farmers, leveraging their technology to access finance, and improve productivity & sales to promote food security. ThriveAgric has 450+ warehouses and works with over 500,000 smallholder farmers in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. ThriveAgric’s Theory of Change target for 2027 is to provide $500 million in credit to 10 million smallholder farmers and to double the numbers by 2050.
About Heifer International:
Heifer International is on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities. They work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities they serve. By supporting and training the world’s farmers, ranchers, and female business owners, they are investing in a new breed of success.
About Crust MFB:
Crust Microfinance Bank (MFB) is focused on purposeful banking. Banking geared towards closing the financial, digital and gender equality gap within communities and between people of different social classes while inviting the public to participate in our purpose. Crust’s message is simple, when your bank with Crust, you are achieving your highest purpose, transforming lives, leaving the world
better than you met it.
