Kano State is set to benefit from the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-food Systems Empowering Women and Youth (RISE) Project, a Canadian-funded initiative aimed at enhancing agriculture and creating economic opportunities for women and youth in Northern Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the five-year project, valued at ₦20.2 billion (Can$19.2 million), will support agribusinesses, smallholder farmers, and cooperatives in Kano, Bauchi, and Kaduna states, fostering economic resilience and job creation.
Implemented by the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) of Canada in collaboration with Nigerian partners, RISE is expected to create 8,000 jobs while equipping smallholder farmers with climate-smart agricultural practices. The initiative will also enhance food security, boost productivity, and provide women- and youth-led enterprises with skills and resources to succeed in the agricultural sector.
Speaking on the project’s significance, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, highlighted the critical role of climate-smart technology in transforming agriculture in the region.
“Nigeria has immense agricultural potential but faces significant challenges, including climate change effects such as flooding and desertification. Supporting the empowerment of women and youth while equipping them with climate-smart technology will help advance Kano’s development and economic goals. I look forward to seeing the RISE project contribute to this transformation,” he said.
The RISE project aligns with Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security, which prioritizes economic cooperation, sustainable development, and global peace.
Under this strategy, Canada has committed over $869.5 million to development and humanitarian projects across Africa, with Nigeria receiving Can$345 million in the last five years.
By strengthening agribusinesses, improving market access, and addressing climate change challenges, the RISE project is set to transform Kano’s agricultural sector, empowering thousands of farmers, women, and young entrepreneurs in the process.
