By: Simeon Shodimu
With rural connectivity increasingly seen as a cornerstone of agricultural transformation, the Federal Government is ramping up investments to bridge infrastructure gaps, boost market access, and strengthen food security nationwide.
The Federal Government has secured $850 million to expand the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), in a renewed push to strengthen rural infrastructure, improve access to markets, and enhance food security across Nigeria.
Disclosing this at the 10th RAAMP Implementation Support Mission in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, said the funding package comprises $600 million dedicated to scaling up the project, alongside an additional $250 million secured from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
According to the minister, the fresh financing is aimed at consolidating ongoing reforms within the sector, broadening the reach of rural road networks, and entrenching sustainability through stronger institutional frameworks.
He explained that the RAAMP Scale-Up (RAAMP-SU) programme would build on key milestones already achieved, including the establishment of Rural Access Roads Agencies (RARA) and State Road Funds (SRF), both designed to guarantee sustainable road maintenance and financing mechanisms at the state level.
Highlighting progress so far, Abdullahi revealed that approximately 1,500 kilometres of rural roads have been completed under the project, with ongoing efforts to deliver an additional 2,500 kilometres by December 2026. These interventions, he noted, have significantly improved mobility, enhanced access to markets, and connected rural communities to essential services, directly impacting millions of Nigerians.
To ensure durability and long-term impact, the minister added that RAAMP is promoting community-based maintenance systems in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), a move expected to strengthen local capacity for infrastructure upkeep.
He commended development partners—including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), IsDB, and the European Investment Bank (EIB)—for their continued support, describing their contributions as pivotal to the project’s success and planned expansion.
Abdullahi also called on state governments to sustain their commitment by providing timely counterpart funding, ensuring effective implementation, and backing ongoing institutional reforms.
Expressing optimism about the project timeline, he stated that all civil works are expected to be completed by December, paving the way for the seamless transition into the scale-up phase.
A World Bank representative at the event noted that while the next phase of the project would be expansive, it is likely to be less challenging due to the experience already gained by implementation teams. Timely delivery, the official stressed, would reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to execute large-scale infrastructure programmes.
Also speaking, the Project Manager of Agence Française de Développement, Sally Abdo Ibrahim, lauded stakeholders for the progress achieved so far despite initial delays.
Providing further insights, the National Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, disclosed that the project—housed within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security—is currently funded to the tune of $575 million by the World Bank and the French Development Agency.
He noted that while the project was initially designed to benefit 8.2 million people, it has already impacted about 11 million Nigerians. In addition, RAAMP is constructing 39 agrologistics centres equipped with storage facilities, market sheds, water supply, and electricity, with construction currently about 40 per cent complete and full delivery expected between June and July.
Mohammed added that the five-year programme is scheduled to run until December 31, 2027, with plans underway for the RAAMP Scale-Up initiative, which will extend participation to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
