As the world marks World Food Day 2025, Sterling Bank Ltd underscores its enduring pledge to a food-secure Africa. The global theme, which is “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future”, calls for collective action to ensure safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all, while upholding sustainable livelihoods and protecting our planet.
At the heart of Sterling Bank’s strategy lies a belief: Africa’s food destiny hinges on shared responsibility. In the words of Olushola Obikanye, Group Head of Agriculture:
“The 2025 World Food Day theme captures exactly what Africa needs right now: collaboration. No single institution or government can fix food insecurity alone. We must work hand in hand with financial institutions, technology providers, farmers, development partners and other key stakeholders to create a future where hunger is history.”
He adds:
“At Sterling Bank, we’ve seen what’s possible when partnerships align with purpose. Our commitment goes beyond financing as we are helping to build an ecosystem where farmers have access to credit, markets and the knowledge they need to thrive. That is how we can produce better food, improve nutrition, and secure a better future for generations to come.”
Obikanye also draws attention to Africa’s paradox: despite holding “60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet Africa still imports billions of dollars’ worth of food annually.” He insists this can change only through “action, investment, innovation and inclusion.”
Over the past decade, Sterling Bank has established itself as a leading financier in agricultural development. It has disbursed over ₦500 billion in loans to commercial farmers and more than US$300 million to support value chain actors across Nigeria. ([Thisdaylive][1]) In 2022, it launched SWAY AgFin, a digital platform that now serves over 25,500 youth and women farmers, connecting them with financing and market opportunities.
In collaboration with partners like GIZ and USAID, Sterling has delivered capacity‑building programs to over 10,000 agribusinesses, and supported more than 100,000 farmers in rice, maize, and soybean under the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and SWAY AgFin.
“Our strategy is built on three pillars: empowerment, innovation and sustainability,” says Obikanye. “We are empowering farmers through finance, innovating through technology, and promoting sustainability through climate‑smart agriculture. The result is not just better yields, it’s better livelihoods and stronger communities.”
Sterling’s role as a thought leader will take center stage at Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2025, slated for November 6–7, 2025, under the theme “Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny.” The summit aims to unite policymakers, agribusiness leaders, financiers, and farmers in crafting actionable solutions toward a resilient and self‑reliant continent.
As Obikanye puts it:
“World Food Day and ASA 2025 are connected by a single truth … Africa’s food future will be secured only when we combine innovation, capital, and compassion to build systems that feed our people and protect our planet.”
Through its H.E.A.R.T. strategy, which is focused on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation, Sterling continues to channel investments into sustainable growth, inclusive development, and shared prosperity.
