The Amahoro Coalition, in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), has launched an initiative aimed at creating 200,000 jobs for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in a move to tackle unemployment and rebuild livelihoods among Nigeria’s populations.
The initiative seeks to empower IDPs through agriculture-based employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development, and offer a pathway to stability and self-reliance.
On the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, Amahoro Coalition and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) signed a landmark partnership aimed at creating 200,000 jobs for forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) and their host communities across Nigeria.
Isaac Fokuo, curator at Amahoro Coalition, emphasised that the partnership is a strategic framework to jointly design and implement initiatives that foster job creation, agribusiness growth, and rural economic development, which will directly benefit up to 200,000 forcibly displaced persons and host community members in Nigeria.
Fokuo explained that the specific areas of collaboration outlined in the MOU include promoting economic inclusion for displaced persons in Nigeria, designing and implementing joint financing and training programmes, and identifying further opportunities for partnership to achieve measurable and sustainable impact.
“At Amahoro Coalition, we believe that investing in agriculture in displaced communities is not charity. It is one of the smartest business decisions Africa’s private sector can make today.
These communities are young, resilient, and ready to contribute. With Africa holding over 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, the opportunity is immense. The time to act is now.
“By channeling resources into agriculture where displaced people live, African businesses can unlock new markets, drive food security, and create dignified jobs that will fuel growth and stability for decades to come,” Fokuo said.
Ayo Sotinrin, managing director/chief executive officer at the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), said that the partnership demonstrates the firm’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development where no one is left behind.
Sotinrin disclosed that his vision for the Bank of Agriculture extends beyond a traditional lending institution to being a catalyst for social change and rural prosperity.
“By leveraging our financial expertise and expansive network, combined with Amahoro Coalition’s deep community ties and understanding of displacement dynamics, together we will drive economic inclusion and advance Nigeria’s food security and rural transformation goals.
“This partnership reflects a fundamental belief that investing in women and youth is a powerful tool in achieving sustainable development. Beyond extending credit, we are building pathways to a more inclusive and prosperous future for Nigeria’s agriculture sector,” Sotinrin said.
Under the agreement, Amahoro Coalition will identify, mobilise, and prepare eligible beneficiaries for BOA-supported programs, while facilitating partnerships with private sector actors, agribusinesses, and market off-takers to create sustainable opportunities. It will also provide technical assistance in program design and impact measurement, lead communications and community engagement strategies, and mobilise resources to strengthen program delivery.
The Bank of Agriculture will develop tailored financial solutions to support the economic inclusion of FDPs and host communities. It will also facilitate financial literacy and agribusiness training programmes, leveraging its extensive branch and zonal office network for outreach and engagement. The Bank will collaborate with Amahoro Coalition on advocacy to promote FDP inclusion in national agricultural policies, creating pathways to economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
Established in 2019, Amahoro Coalition is the leading convener of African private sector leaders for social impact. The organisation is tailored to provide solutions to the private sector, enabling them to tap into the African demographic dividend, including in vulnerable settings like displaced communities.
The Bank of Agriculture is Nigeria’s premier development finance institution for agriculture and rural development. Established in 1972, BOA has provided financial services for agricultural value chains for decades.
