Nigeria has taken another step toward strengthening youth entrepreneurship as the federal executive council approved a $100 million loan from the African Development Bank for the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund. The initiative targets young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35, particularly those running small and medium-scale businesses who continue to face limited access to finance despite their growing contribution to the economy. The investment fund will serve as a financing lifeline, supporting startups and expanding ventures that have struggled under rising operational costs, low credit access, and slow business growth. Government officials announced the approval after the council meeting held on Wednesday, chaired by the president.
In addition to this support for youth-led enterprises, the council also endorsed $50 million in financing from the Islamic Development Bank to fund agricultural development in Yobe State. The project is expected to improve food security and enhance rural livelihoods through strengthened agricultural productivity. Authorities highlighted that rural communities stand to benefit from increased income opportunities and improved access to food, especially as the country works to stabilise supply chains and support farmers. This intervention forms part of a broader plan to diversify the economy and expand productivity beyond major cities, with agriculture viewed as a key source of long-term national revenue.
Government officials said recent economic indicators show resilience, noting that the economy expanded by 3.89 percent in the third quarter of 2025, with agriculture and industry contributing significantly. Inflation was also reported to be easing gradually, signalling what the government considers a more stable recovery path. The cabinet was commended for efforts geared toward realising the renewed hope agenda, but the president maintained that the current growth rate is still below the targeted seven percent needed to reduce poverty at scale. To accelerate progress, ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to prioritise capital spending on projects that drive growth and create employment. The economic management team is also expected to screen priority projects before forwarding them for final executive approval.
With the approval of both the youth loan and agricultural financing, the government has outlined what it described as a stronger push for economic inclusion and empowerment. The interventions are embedded within the medium-term framework covering 2026 to 2028, forming part of a fiscal roadmap intended to guide public spending in coming years.
For small business operators and young founders, the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund could open a new funding window that encourages expansion, boosts productivity, and improves survival rates for emerging ventures across the country and wider African markets. Stakeholders believe that if execution stays on course, agriculture and youth-led businesses could stimulate sustainable growth, support job creation, and gradually strengthen the MSME ecosystem.
