The Head of Investment at the Nigerian Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mr. Olalekan Alabi, has highlighted innovative financing models for expanding access to sustainable agricultural mechanisation among smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
Alabi made this contribution during a high-level panel discussion on “Scaling Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization for Climate-Resilient Food Systems” held on November 11, 2026, at the Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Pavilion during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
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The event was convened by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Discussions focused on how affordable financing, appropriate technologies and reliable agricultural services could accelerate the adoption of sustainable mechanisation and strengthen food systems against climate change.
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NADF’s contribution centred on financing and service delivery models that would make agricultural machinery more accessible to smallholder farmers while ensuring commercial viability for lenders and service providers.
The models discussed included equipment leasing, shared machinery services and mechanisation-as-a-service, alongside opportunities to attract increased private-sector investment into agricultural mechanisation.
The panel also emphasised that sustainable mechanisation goes beyond providing farmers with equipment, requiring investments in skilled operators, maintenance services, spare parts and technologies that protect soil health, improve water efficiency and enhance climate resilience.
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At COP31, NADF is engaging with investors, development finance institutions and technical partners to explore practical investment opportunities and strategic partnerships that can improve farmers’ access to mechanisation services.
The engagements are particularly targeted at supporting Nigerian smallholder farmers, women and young people, while promoting sustainable agricultural production and climate-resilient food systems.