Nigeria has partnered with Mastercard to launch an initiative aimed at supporting one million farmers across Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, enhancing agricultural productivity and financial inclusion.
The agreement was formalized during a meeting at the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shettima emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration for food security in Africa, stating, “This partnership marks a significant step towards comprehensive financial inclusion and agricultural empowerment.” The initiative will leverage Mastercard’s global expertise to create opportunities for farmers, ensuring they have access to digital financial services and modern tools.
Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, added that the project would reimagine the agricultural value chain and address existing challenges within Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem.
Mastercard’s West Africa Country Manager, Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, outlined plans for 160 contactless payment seminars starting next February to educate stakeholders on this technology, marking a crucial step toward modernizing agricultural financing in the region.