Press Release

February 26, 2020

USADF and Governor Of Kebbi State in Nigeria Kickoff $10 Million Partnership to Support Local Agribusiness

ABUJA, NIGERIA - February 10, 2020 - The President & CEO of U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and the Governor of Kebbi State, Nigeria celebrated the first cohort of community groups receiving grants under the USADF-Kebbi State Enterprise Investment Program, kicking off the official start of the partnership. The partnership will promote the development of farmer cooperatives, producer associations, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kebbi State and increase their competitiveness in national, regional, and international markets.

The ceremonial grant signing was attended by USADF President and CEO C.D. Glin, Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, U.S. Embassy Representative Scott Clayton, state government officials, and the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce.

The USADF-Kebbi State partnership is a five-year, $10 million agreement, with Kebbi State and USADF each contributing $5 million over the five years to provide seed capital and technical assistance to local agribusinesses.

"USADF's partnership with Kebbi State represents our continued focus on rural empowerment and enterprise development in productive sectors that transform local communities," says C.D. Glin, President & CEO. "And in doing so, we develop prosperous trading partners of tomorrow and create pathways to prosperity for millions of Africans."

Since 2018, when USADF and Kebbi state first announced their partnership, the parties have invested in 8 (eight) different farmers' associations in the rice, dairy, and groundnuts sectors. At the grant signing were three of those grantees:

  1. Magaji Karaye Groundnut and Farmers' Co-operative Association

  2. Birgin Jigawa Dairy Farmers Co-operative Association

  3. Dankwalli Cluster Rice Farmers Cooperative Association

Following the grant signing ceremony, USADF President C.D. Glin and Kebbi State Governor Bagudu traveled to the nearby Dankwalli Cluster Rice Farmers Cooperative Association to visit the site of the newly signed grant. Representatives from Dankwalli Cluster Rice Farmers Cooperative Association briefed the two leaders on the project plans and gave a tour of their rice fields.

This partnership demonstrates a joint commitment of the Governor of Kebbi State and the United States to achieving sustainable development for the region, to find ways to increase Kebbi State's market competitiveness in their growing agricultural sector, while also increasing incomes for farmers and their families.

For nearly 40 years, USADF has been creating pathways to prosperity for underserved, marginalized, and vulnerable communities. Annually, USADF's smart investment generates approximately $100 million in new economic activity. USADF has been active in Nigeria since 2001, investing a total of $10 million in 100 grassroots and growing enterprises and improving the lives of nearly 500,000 people.

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About the United States African Development Foundation (USADF)

The U.S. African Development Foundation is an independent U.S. government agency established by Congress to invest directly in African grassroots enterprises and social entrepreneurs. USADF’s investment increases incomes, revenues, and jobs by promoting self-reliance and market-based solutions to poverty. USADF creates pathways to prosperity for marginalized populations and underserved communities in the Sahel, Great Lakes, and the Horn of Africa. Annually, USADF’s grant assistance generates approximately $100 million in new economic activity. To learn more, please visit www.usadf.gov.

Communications Contact: Afia Frempong. Email: Comms1@usadf.gov.