The USADF Nigeria Program

The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) Nigerian Project began in 2001, and for over two decades, the USADF Nigerian Program has focused on supporting agricultural cooperatives in marginalized areas, provision of off-grid energy solutions in unserved communities, and youth employability and entrepreneurship, thereby creating pathways to prosperity. 

USADF’s commitment to Nigeria has remained strong, leaving a legacy of transformational change. With a total grant commitment exceeding $44 million to its Nigeria program, Nigeria has been one of USADF’s largest country programs on the continent with over 480 projects executed since 2001. As of 2023, ongoing USADF projects in Nigeria include:

1. The Kebbi State Program
2. The Ekiti State Program
3. Other Core Portfolio Projects
4. Off-Grid Energy Projects
5. The LSETF Program
6. Academy of Women Entrepreneurship (AWE) Projects
7. Special Projects
8. Youth/YALI Projects
9. African Resilience Initiative for Entrepreneurs (ARIE) Projects
10. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Program
11. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Program
12. Builders of Africa’s Future Program
13. Herbalife Food and Nutrition Stars (FAN) Program.

USADF has, in the past decade alone, invested over $19 million, positively impacting more than 617,000 individuals across the nation.

Partnerships

In Nigeria, USADF collaborates with sub-national rather than national governments. USADF has partnered with the states of Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Ekiti, Kebbi and Lagos. USADF has also partnered with the following corporations to implement programs in Nigeria: All On (an impact investing company with funding from Shell), General Electric (GE) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).

USADF’s collaborations foster innovation and entrepreneurship, boosting local businesses, and agricultural enterprises, and providing sustainable energy to communities. Investments in women, youth, and MSMEs cultivate leadership and dreams for a brighter future.

Welcome to the journey of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) Program in Nigeria. This journey is about touching lives, uplifting communities, and forging pathways to prosperity.

Portfolios of Progress

The USADF Nigerian Program encompasses several portfolios:

1. The Agric/Core Portfolio: This focuses on agricultural value chain development and also supports for development of SMEs and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
2. The Off-grid Energy Portfolio: This focuses on providing communities with sustainable energy solutions.
3. The Entrepreneurship and Special Project Portfolios: These nurture innovation, aid SMEs, and foster entrepreneurial development.
4. The Youth Employability Enhancement and Entrepreneurship Development Portfolio: This portfolio cultivates talent and promotes employability and entrepreneurship.

Through the Agric/Core Portfolio, USADF invested over $19 million to support about 150 cooperative societies, Community-Based Organizations and grassroots enterprises, benefiting thousands of smallholder farmers and community members across Nigeria. These beneficiaries have accessed services like agricultural training, marketing skills development, vocational training, and vital agricultural input support, enhancing agricultural productivity and income.

The Off-Grid Energy Portfolio has made a significant impact. With over $4 million investment by the USADF, more than 60 off-grid energy entrepreneurs have been supported to execute over 68 off-grid energy projects bringing energy access to the unserved and underserved. These off-grid energy entrepreneurs have scaled their operations, leading to more than 10,000 energy connections across 20+ Nigerian states, benefiting households and businesses.

With an investment of over $3 million, the Entrepreneurship and Special Project Portfolio has transformed the fortunes of thousands of SMEs, youth, and women entrepreneurs. These individuals have accessed crucial resources, mentorship, and funding, allowing them to grow their businesses and contribute to their communities.

With the Youth Employability and Entrepreneurship Enhancement Portfolio, USADF and the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) have committed $10 million to a youth employability program in Lagos. Aiming to annually train 3,000 youths over a five-year period, the program has already seen impressive results by August 2023: 7,492 trained, 68% with paid internship experience, and 70% now employed or running their businesses, with 64% being female entrepreneurs, highlighting the project’s success in empowering the youth. Over $5 million has been funnelled into the Employability Program, alongside $1 million in annual matching funds for youth projects.

Success Stories from the USADF Nigerian Program

Through the Agric/Core Portfolio, USADF has not just been investing in projects but in people — real individuals, groups and communities whose lives have been transformed. The impact of USADF’s support also shines bright in the energy sector, showcasing how renewable energy initiatives can combat energy poverty and spur community growth.

The collaboration between USADF and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) since 2019 has yielded remarkable success stories in youth employability and entrepreneurship in Lagos State.

The Special Project and Entrepreneurship Portfolios have nurtured innovation, supported SMEs, and advanced entrepreneurship development, fostering a dynamic ecosystem for sustainable growth and empowerment.

A Legacy of Hope and Opportunity

From the success stories and the impact of USADF’s initiatives, it is evident that the support from USADF has not only improved livelihoods but has also ignited hope and opportunities across Nigeria. USADF’s enduring legacy in Nigeria is one of collaboration, innovation, and empowerment.

Click here for inspiring success stories from the USADF Nigerian Program for the past two decades.

Click here for more DDI success stories

USADF’s Expansive Footprint and Reach in Nigeria

Specifically, USADF’s projects have spanned across 25 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. For over two decades, the foundation, through its unwavering dedication and strategic partnerships, has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable growth. The projects highlighted here are merely a glimpse into the vast impact USADF has had across the nation, underscoring the depth and breadth of their influence. For more on DDI’s geographical footprints, CLICK HERE

Click here for more projects

 

DDI Concludes GAIN-SNiPS Home Garden Initiative Across 3 States

Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI) is proud to announce the successful completion of its role as the implementing partner for the Home Garden component of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples (SNiPS) Project in Nigeria. For the past three years, this vital initiative has empowered 21,414 households across Benue, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states by boosting their capacity to grow and consume safe, nutrient-dense foods.

Key Achievements and Impact

The project’s primary goal was to assist smallholder farmers and farm workers in the rice and maize value chains to make healthier dietary choices through improved access to and consumption of nutritious foods. Key achievements include:

• Expanded Reach and Empowerment: The initiative networked 21,414 households, surpassing the original target of 20,000. Notably, women consistently formed the majority of participants, accounting for 71%, which is crucial for garden maintenance and long-term success.
• Capacity Building: DDI conducted comprehensive capacity building sessions by training 102 Extension Agents (EAs) and 480 Lead Farmers on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP), nursery management, nutrition education, among other relevant skills. These master trainers, in turn, delivered step-down training to 21,033 households.
• Infrastructure and Inputs: A total of 102 demonstration plots were established, serving as vital practical learning centres. Furthermore, 21,305 households received essential inputs like improved seeds (amaranth, tomato, pepper, okra), liquid organic fertiliser, and Vitamin A-rich Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) vines.
• Innovative Farming: The project actively promoted innovative, climate-smart solutions. Techniques such as sack gardening were introduced to overcome challenges like cramped spaces, poor soil, and rigid garden layouts, offering a budget-friendly way for families to secure year-round fresh produce.

A Focus on Sustainability

In line with DDI’s sustainability-focused approach, the concept of sustainability was woven into the project’s design from inception. The Lead Farmer Model established a local source of expertise and high-quality planting materials. Lead farmers were trained to multiply OFSP vines and vegetable seedlings, providing a sustainable, local supply network for the wider community, a key step in fostering local resilience and creating agribusiness opportunities.

Additionally, training on waste management and composting offered an alternative, safe, and sustainable approach to soil health and fertility, mitigating the dependence on costly inorganic fertilisers. This integrated approach was designed to ensure the practices continue long after DDI’s involvement ends.

Community Voices and Future Outlook

As a demonstration of DDI’s bottom-up, practical, participatory approach, the nature of the training sessions, delivered in local languages (Hausa, Tiv, Idoma, Alago), ensured maximum knowledge retention and adoption. As expressed by Hadiza Salisu Aliyu, a participant and a resident of Yakawada Village of Giwa community of Giwa LGA, who adopted the staggered sowing technique: “I used my Amaranth many times in our food. I have told my household that if they keep a home garden, they will save money from buying and getting vitamin A and other nutrients”.

The successful scaling, strong engagement of women and youth, and the proven adoption of sustainable practices underscore the efficacy of the home garden initiative. DDI is proud to have partnered with GAIN Nigeria and local stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of households in these states, contributing to greater food security and improved nutrition.

DDI is also committed to ensuring that interventions such as this are scaled to reach more households across Nigeria. This is why DDI is calling on donors, foundations, governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as all well-meaning individuals to support the scale-up of this proven model and expand access to safe, nutritious diets for more families, by exploring partnership or collaboration opportunities with DDI.

About the Project:

The USAID Nigeria Feed the Future Enterprise Investment Fund (EIF) Project, spanning from 2023 to 2024, marks a strategic collaboration between Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI) and Mercy Corps Nigeria (MCN). Building upon the achievements and lessons learned from the previous project (the RRA), DDI is intensifying efforts to integrate producer organizations with key actors in agricultural value chains across Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Gombe (BAYG) states. The project’s core strategies include establishing Post-harvest and Quality Management Associations (PHQMA) and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), with a focus on boosting employment opportunities, enhancing financial accessibility, and reducing post-harvest losses.

The Role of DDI:

DDI, as a key partner, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the EIF Project. Drawing on lessons from the concluded Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity, DDI is dedicated to strengthening the linkages between over 700 producer organizations and vital value chain actors in the agricultural sector. The organization aims to address existing constraints faced by producer organizations, such as limited access to agri-inputs, weak linkages, and challenges in market and financial support.

Expected Milestone Achievement:

The Enterprise Investment Support for Producer Organizations project outlines clear milestones, including the establishment of 50 additional PHQMAs and 100 VSLAs. These initiatives are expected to create employment opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Additionally, DDI seeks to enhance linkages between producer organizations and crucial value chain actors, fostering a more robust and sustainable agricultural ecosystem in the BAYG states.

Expected Impact on Communities:

DDI’s intervention is designed to have a profound impact on rural communities in BAYG states. By facilitating the formation of PHQMAs and VSLAs, the project aims to reduce post-harvest losses, improve produce quality, promote a savings culture, and enhance access to credit and financial services. The overall goal is to advance agricultural productivity, promote rural resilience, and empower local communities.

Acknowledgement of Stakeholders:

DDI acknowledges the crucial partnership with Mercy Corps Nigeria in executing the EIF Project. DDI expresses gratitude for the ongoing support and commitment of USAID and all stakeholders, working together to achieve the project’s objectives and outcomes.