The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the World Bank, has launched a $600 million expansion of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), aiming to improve rural infrastructure, enhance market access, and boost agricultural productivity across the nation.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, revealed that the project would involve a $500 million contribution from the World Bank, with the remaining $100 million to be provided by federal and state governments.
The expanded initiative will cover all 36 states, a significant increase from the previous phase, which focused on 19 states.
Nigeria’s rural road network, spanning approximately 200,000 kilometers, is plagued by poor infrastructure, with only 40,000 kilometers of it in good condition.
This infrastructure gap has long hindered rural communities’ access to markets, limiting economic opportunities and agricultural growth.
Abdullahi highlighted that the funding will be used to construct and rehabilitate rural roads, markets, and other essential infrastructure, helping millions of Nigerians.
He emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which focuses on food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
