Lagos, Oct. 27, 2023 – Sterling bank says it is committing one billion naira to agro-innovators at the forthcoming Agric Summit Africa (ASA) holding in Lagos on Nov. 8.
Shola Obikanye, the bank’s Group Head of Agric. and Solid Minerals, said this in a statement on Friday.
He said ASA had played a pivotal role in addressing critical issues within Nigeria’s agriculture sector since its maiden edition in 2019.
Obikanye said that the summit had consistently brought together influential figures from various sectors to discuss and explore innovative solutions for the industry’s challenges.
He said ASA 2023 would have the theme “Empowering Innovations: A Confluence of Capital, Vision, and Agribusiness Enterprise.”
According to him, ASA has rightly earned its place as a cornerstone event for the agriculture sector in sub-Saharan Africa.
Obikanye said that to commemorate its fifth anniversary, ASA has chosen to lead with the kind of innovation and change it has advocated for over the years.
“This year, the organisers of the ASA will feature an incubator-style investors’ deal room, which in addition to its insightful discussions, will offer the opportunity for agribusiness entrepreneurs to promote their innovative ideas and receive the necessary funding and business support they need to scale.
“This unique addition provides a platform for promising agro-innovators to present their transformative business solutions to a panel of industry experts, with a chance to secure grants of up to N50 million and financing options totalling up to N1 billion,” he said.
Obikanye said that the driving force behind ASA AgroPitch 2023 is rooted in ASA’s commitment to financing Nigeria’s agriculture sector and fostering the change needed for advancement
He stressed that by injecting substantial capital at the SME level, ASA is championing the movement to shape a sustainable agricultural future for Nigeria.
“This initiative warmly invites all promising agropreneurs to join this noble endeavour and establish themselves as pioneers of agricultural innovation,” he said.
Obikanye said that to participate in ASA AgroPitch 2023, interested agribusiness owners could submit their applications through the ASA website at www.agricsummit.org.
He advised interested applicants to follow the two-step application process for an opportunity to grow their agribusiness exponentially.
Entries for applications will close on Oct. 30, 2023 by 11:59 pm. (GBN)
