In a bold move to support women in agriculture, the Women in Agriculture Advancement and Sustainability Africa Initiative (WAASA) has disbursed ₦400 million in low-interest loans to over 1,200 female farmers across Nigeria.
This initiative, unveiled during the 2024 Women in Agriculture Festival in Abuja, reflects WAASA’s commitment to boosting food production and strengthening economic inclusion for rural women.
Speaking at the event, WAASA Founder and President, Mrs. Christine Adebayo, emphasized the importance of equipping women with the tools and resources to thrive in agribusiness. According to her, the funds are meant to scale existing farms, improve access to technology, and create jobs in local communities.
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“We’re not just giving out loans; we are investing in women who feed the nation,” Adebayo stated. “Our goal is to support one million women across Africa by 2030.”
The low-interest loans—offered through partnerships with agricultural stakeholders and impact investors—are designed to be both accessible and sustainable. Each beneficiary also receives training in agribusiness management and digital farming techniques, ensuring long-term success.
Additionally, WAASA is collaborating with agritech startups to introduce smart farming tools to female-owned farms, helping these entrepreneurs increase yield, reduce losses, and connect directly to markets.
Many of the women shared inspiring stories of how the funding has already transformed their farming operations. For some, it has meant scaling from subsistence farming to commercial-level production.
As food security remains a national priority, WAASA’s intervention serves as a model for how strategic financing and support can transform rural livelihoods, especially for women who have long been underserved in the agricultural sector.
With this milestone, WAASA is not just empowering farmers, it’s cultivating a new generation of agripreneurs.
