Ecobank Group and AGRA forge strategic partnership to transform Africa’s agricultural value chains and drive inclusive growth
Recognising agriculture as the backbone of Africa’s economy, the two institutions said they would combine their strengths to address critical challenges in agricultural financing, commercialisation and climate resilience
NAIROBI, May 12, 2026 — Ecobank Group and AGRA have announced a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Africa’s agricultural ecosystem and accelerating inclusive economic growth across the continent.
The Memorandum of Understanding [MoU], signed during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on May 11, brings together Ecobank’s extensive pan-African banking network and AGRA’s expertise in agricultural transformation to improve access to finance for agribusinesses, farmer organisations and key value-chain actors.
Recognising agriculture as the backbone of Africa’s economy, the two institutions said they would combine their strengths to address critical challenges in agricultural financing, commercialisation and climate resilience.
Anup Suri, Ecobank Group Executive for Commercial and Consumer Banking, said the partnership would help reposition agriculture as a commercially viable and high-growth sector.
“To transform Africa’s economy, we must treat agriculture as a high-growth commercial sector rather than a subsistence activity,” Suri said.
“Through this strategic alliance with AGRA, Ecobank is unlocking the substantial capital required to scale agribusinesses across the continent. We are de-risking the sector, supporting women and youth entrepreneurs, and building a resilient food system that will drive Africa’s next decade of growth.”
AGRA President Alice Ruhweza said agriculture remains central to Africa’s development agenda and that the partnership would help translate policy ambitions into practical action.
“Agriculture is not just one sector among many for Africa; it is the foundation upon which the continent’s entire development agenda rests,” Ruhweza said.
“As African leaders advance the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme [CAADP] strategy for the coming decade, this partnership with Ecobank turns that ambition into action.
“Over the last 20 years, AGRA and its partners have built strong evidence, value-chain knowledge and on-the-ground insights into opportunities for women and young people to establish thriving agribusinesses. Combining that expertise with Ecobank’s reach and capabilities strengthens the case that African food systems represent one of the continent’s greatest opportunities.”
Framework for agricultural transformation
The partnership will focus on several strategic pillars designed to deliver long-term impact across the agricultural sector.
Ecobank will develop and deploy tailored financial solutions, including working capital, asset finance and trade finance products. To address longstanding barriers to agricultural lending, the partners will collaborate on risk-sharing facilities, guarantees and blended finance mechanisms.
AGRA will provide catalytic funding support, beneficiary mobilisation and technical assistance aimed at improving financial literacy, governance and investment readiness among agribusiness SMEs and cooperatives.
The partnership also places strong emphasis on empowering marginalised groups by linking Ecobank’s Ellevate programme with AGRA’s Value4HER initiative for women in agribusiness and the YEFFA programme for youth entrepreneurship. The collaboration is expected to increase targeted financing and capacity-building support for women- and youth-led enterprises.
In response to the growing impact of climate change on food systems, the partnership will also promote sustainable land use and mobilise green financing instruments to support climate-resilient agricultural solutions.
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