Bank unveils plan to boost food security

The Alternative Bank has unveiled an ethical financing framework designed to transform Africa’s agricultural landscape and place farmers at the heart of the continent’s food future. Speaking at the Agriculture Summit Africa 2025, themed “Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny,” the Executive Director, North at The Alternative Bank, Garba Mohammed, declared that Africa’s […]

The Alternative Bank has unveiled an ethical financing framework designed to transform Africa’s agricultural landscape and place farmers at the heart of the continent’s food future.

Speaking at the Agriculture Summit Africa 2025, themed “Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny,” the Executive Director, North at The Alternative Bank, Garba Mohammed, declared that Africa’s prosperity depends not only on how food is cultivated and processed but on how it is financed.

Mohammed, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Azeez Badru, said that “Africa’s food destiny will not be reclaimed by technology alone, but by the courage to finance differently, to make money serve humanity rather than the other way around.”

Amid Nigeria’s escalating food security crisis, The Alternative Bank said it is leading a movement toward ethical, transparent, and equitable financing.

He described agriculture as “a sacred trust” and reaffirmed that the bank’s mission is to fund productivity, not speculation.

“We are financing purpose, not just profit. Agriculture is a national responsibility. Every loan, every partnership must feed families, preserve the land, and build resilience. That is the essence of ethical finance,” he said.

Drawing on time-tested non-interest financing models such as Mudarabah (profit-and-loss bearing), Musharakah (equity partnership), Ijara (lease-to-own financing), and Murabaha (cost-plus trade finance), the bank’s strategy redistributes risk and reward across the agricultural value chain. These tools empower producers, processors, and distributors while keeping financing grounded in fairness and sustainability.

Mohammed noted that for too long, those who feed Africa have carried the heaviest burden while financiers reap the greatest returns, adding that the imbalance must end, and the bank intends to lead the way.

He also emphasised that the bank’s support extends beyond capital. Its financing encompasses renewable energy systems for irrigation, solar-powered cold storage, and waste-to-value innovations—solutions that reduce environmental impact while improving yield and income.

“The survival of the greenest challenges us to build systems that reward stewardship over speculation, and to finance not just growth, but good,” Mohammed affirmed.

In commending the organisers of the summit, the bank reaffirmed its commitment to reshaping Africa’s food systems through finance that empowers rather than exploits.

It called on institutions, investors, and innovators to join in placing farmers at the centre of transformation, where dignity, equity, and sustainability drive every transaction.

“We’re leading this charge and welcome farmers, off-takers, partners, and all who believe finance should build fair, resilient food systems,” he said.