Nigerian farmers could find it easier to access financing, agricultural supplies and potential buyers as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Mastercard introduce a digital platform designed to connect participants across the agricultural sector. The platform, called AgroPass, aims to address some of the challenges limiting smallholder farmers’ access to essential services and business opportunities.
Developed by Mastercard, AgroPass connects farmers with lenders, agricultural input suppliers, buyers, agribusinesses and other participants in the agricultural value chain. By bringing these groups together through a digital platform, the initiative aims to improve access to financial services, strengthen business connections and support agricultural productivity. The partnership combines Mastercard’s technology capabilities with FCMB’s banking network and presence in farming communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos, FCMB Managing Director Yemisi Edun, represented by Executive Director of Wholesale Banking Obaro Odeghe, explained that supporting farmers requires more than providing loans. She emphasised the importance of connecting them with markets, technology, knowledge and other resources needed to build sustainable agricultural businesses. Edun also disclosed that FCMB provided more than ₦364.6 billion in financing to Nigeria’s agricultural sector in 2025, supporting over 196,000 smallholder farmers nationwide. Nearly half of the beneficiaries were women and young people.
Mastercard’s Executive Vice President for Growth Segments, Tara Nathan, said many smallholder farmers remain disconnected from the services and opportunities that could help their businesses grow. She explained that AgroPass is designed to bridge these gaps by connecting farmers to financial services, suppliers, buyers and digital tools. The platform is also expected to improve the transparency and efficiency of agricultural transactions while helping farmers establish stronger commercial relationships.
The initiative comes as Nigerian farmers continue to face difficulties accessing affordable financing, quality agricultural inputs and reliable markets. By creating digital connections across the agricultural value chain, FCMB and Mastercard hope to make these services more accessible and improve opportunities for rural businesses. However, the platform’s success will depend on how effectively farmers can access its services and turn these connections into actual financing, sales and business growth.