The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully secured $850 million to significantly scale up the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). This substantial funding aims to fortify rural infrastructure, enhance market access for agricultural produce, and bolster food security across the nation. Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, announced this during the 10th RAAMP Implementation Support Mission held in Abuja.

The newly acquired financing package includes $600 million specifically allocated for the project's scale-up phase, complemented by an additional $250 million contributed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). This investment is strategically designed to consolidate ongoing sector reforms, broaden the coverage of rural roads, and establish robust institutional frameworks to ensure the long-term sustainability of these vital infrastructures. The scale-up program (RAAMP-SU) will leverage existing achievements, such as the successful establishment of Rural Access Roads Agencies (RARA) and State Road Funds (SRF), which are crucial for the sustainable maintenance and financing of rural road networks.

RAAMP has already achieved significant milestones in its current phase. Approximately 1,500 kilometers of rural roads have been completed, with ambitious plans to deliver an additional 2,500 kilometers by December 2026. These interventions have profoundly improved mobility, facilitated better access to markets, and connected countless rural communities to essential services, directly benefiting millions of Nigerians by enhancing their livelihoods and quality of life.

To ensure the enduring impact of the project, RAAMP is actively promoting community-based maintenance systems in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). This partnership aims to strengthen local capacities for infrastructure upkeep, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within communities. The Minister extended commendation to key development partners, including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), IsDB, and the European Investment Bank (EIB), acknowledging their contributions as indispensable to RAAMP's success and future expansion. He also urged state governments to maintain their commitment through timely counterpart funding, efficient implementation, and continued support for institutional reforms.

Rakesh Tripathi, the Task Team Lead of the World Bank, expressed strong optimism that RAAMP could become one of Nigeria's first projects to achieve full implementation and disbursement ahead of its official closing date, which is still approximately 18 months away. Tripathi noted that the project team has embraced the challenge to accelerate implementation, targeting the completion of all disbursements at least one year before the final deadline. He conveyed confidence that all civil works would be finalized by December, allowing ample time to conclude outstanding processes and transition smoothly into the program's scale-up phase. He further added that while the upcoming scale-up phase would be substantial, it is expected to be less challenging due to the valuable experience garnered by the implementation teams during the current phase. Tripathi emphasized that timely completion would not only demonstrate efficiency but also reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to execute large-scale infrastructure programs effectively.

Concurrently, Sally Abdo Ibrahim, the Project Manager of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), applauded all stakeholders for the remarkable progress achieved despite initial delays. Engr Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, the RAAMP National Project Coordinator, elaborated that the project, domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was initially funded by the World Bank and French Development Agency with $575 million. He highlighted the project's expanded reach, now impacting approximately 11 million Nigerians, significantly more than the initial target of 8.2 million people.

Mohammed also detailed the construction of 39 crucial agrologistics centers, which are being equipped with modern storage facilities, market sheds, water, and electricity. These centers are currently about 40% complete, with full delivery anticipated by June or July. He confirmed that the current 5-year program is slated to run until December 31, 2027, and revealed that plans for “RAAMP Scale-Up” are already in motion, designed to extend participation to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ensuring nationwide impact.