Sterling Bank leads efforts in food security and agricultural innovation in Africa, promoting partnerships for a sustainable food future

Sterling Bank food security efforts are at the forefront as the world marks World Food Day 2025, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive food-secure Africa.

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This year’s World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” highlights the urgent need for collective action to ensure access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food, while supporting sustainable livelihoods and protecting the environment.

Olushola Obikanye, Group Head at Sterling Bank, emphasised that collaboration between financial institutions, farmers, policymakers, and communities is crucial to transforming Africa’s food systems.

“No single entity can solve food insecurity alone,” he said. “We must work hand in hand to create a future where hunger is history.”

Sterling Bank’s approach goes beyond financing. It involves building an ecosystem where farmers gain access to credit, markets, and vital knowledge needed to thrive.

The bank has disbursed over ₦500 billion in loans to commercial farmers and more than $300 million to agricultural value chain actors nationwide.

Its digital platform, SWAY AgFin, has empowered over 25,500 youth and women farmers to access finance and market opportunities.

Obikanye highlighted Africa’s paradox: despite possessing 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, the continent still imports billions of dollars in food annually.

He stressed that only through concerted action, investment, innovation, and inclusion can this be reversed.

Sterling Bank’s commitment is also demonstrated through partnerships with organisations such as GIZ and USAID, which have supported over 10,000 agribusinesses and more than 100,000 farmers under various programmes.

These efforts focus on empowerment, innovation, and sustainability, particularly promoting climate-smart agriculture to enhance productivity and livelihoods.

Looking ahead, Sterling Bank will continue its leadership role at Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2025, themed “Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny.” The summit will gather stakeholders to develop practical solutions for a resilient, food-secure continent.

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Obikanye concluded, “Africa’s food future depends on combining innovation, capital, and compassion to build systems that feed our people and protect our planet.”