The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has opened its Agriculture Production and Enterprise Innovation Hub Programme for innovative agribusinesses in North-East Nigeria.
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The programme is designed to help growing enterprises become sustainable and profitable through business development support, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, networking, market access and innovation resources.
It targets businesses with practical ideas to improve agricultural production, address industry challenges and create lasting impact. Participating enterprises can receive support to strengthen operations, explore new markets and accelerate growth.
The initiative is aimed at businesses already operating, rather than people seeking to start an enterprise from scratch. Applicants should be prepared to show that their products or services respond to a real market need and have room to grow. The announcement does not specify a cash grant amount or guarantee funding for every participant.
Priority sectors
The programme focuses on four areas: agro and food processing, storage, packaging and value addition; livestock and dairy; crop production and farm inputs; and agricultural transport, warehousing and logistics.
Eligible innovations may include solutions that reduce post-harvest losses, improve food preservation, strengthen cold-chain services, boost farm productivity or improve the movement and storage of agricultural goods.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
- Have a business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Operate in agriculture or agribusiness in the North-East region for at least two years.
- Keep at least two years of financial statements and proper bookkeeping records.
- Employ at least two full-time staff, excluding the founder.
- Demonstrate revenue growth potential, market viability and business sustainability.
- Be willing to participate fully in the accelerator programme and post-programme mentorship.
- Register for and complete all five compulsory DBN BizAid courses.
The required courses cover Financial Decision and Management; Credit Management and Access to Finance; Sustainability for Small Businesses; Marketing and Sales Techniques; and Accounting and Bookkeeping.
Completion of all five courses is mandatory for application progression. Applicants should ensure they meet the eligibility conditions before submitting their details.
How to apply
Interested businesses should first register for the five BizAid courses and complete them at https://learning.devbankng.com/wennovationhub.
Eligible applicants can then submit an application through the programme form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDSfSeEO_v9Pdy2No3uWEJTl9RiGK_lDsz4Evwi2kBy69g0g/viewform.
The programme offers an opportunity for qualifying North-East agribusinesses to build stronger, more innovative and sustainable ventures.
