The Federal Government has secured $850 million to scale up the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) as part of efforts to strengthen rural infrastructure, improve market access, and enhance food security across the country.

The Minister of State Agriculture and Food Security Senator Sabi Abdullahi disclosed this during the 10th RAAMP Implementation Support Mission held yesterday in Abuja, stating that the funding includes $600 million earmarked for the project’s scale-up and an additional $250 million from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

He explained that the new financing would consolidate ongoing sector reforms, expand the coverage of rural roads, and ensure long-term sustainability through stronger institutional frameworks.

He added that the scale-up programme (RAAMP-SU) would build on existing gains, including the establishment of Rural Access Roads Agencies (RARA) and State Road Funds (SRF), which are designed to ensure sustainable maintenance and financing of rural roads.

The minister further disclosed that the project has already recorded significant milestones, with about 1,500 kilometres of rural roads completed, while efforts are ongoing to deliver an additional 2,500 kilometres by December 2026.

He said the interventions have so far improved mobility, enhanced access to markets, and connected rural communities to essential services, directly benefiting millions of Nigerians.

Also speaking on sustainability, he noted that the project is promoting community-based maintenance systems in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), aimed at strengthening local capacity and ensuring long-term upkeep of infrastructure.

The minister commended development partners, including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), IsDB, and the European Investment Bank (EIB), for their continued support, describing their contributions as critical to the success and expansion of RAAMP.

He also urged state governments to sustain their commitment through timely counterpart funding, effective implementation, and continued support for institutional reforms.

The Task Team Lead of the World Bank, Rakesh Tripath has expressed optimism that the RAAMP project would become one of the first project in Nigeria to be fully implemented and disbursed ahead of its closing date which still has about 18 months to completion.

Tripathi said the project team had taken up the challenge to fast-track implementation, with a target of completing all disbursements at least one year before the official closing date.

He expressed confidence that all civil works would be finalised by December, which would allow sufficient time to conclude outstanding processes and focus on the scale-up phase of the programme.

The World Bank official noted that although the upcoming scale-up phase would be significant, it would be less challenging since the implementation teams have already gained valuable experience from the current phase.

He emphasised that timely completion of the project would not only demonstrate efficiency but also strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s ability to execute large-scale infrastructure programmes.

Meanwhile, the Project Manager of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Sally Abdo Ibrahim, has commended stakeholders for the significant progress recorded on the ongoing project, despite initial delays.

The RAAMP National Project Coordinator Engr Aminu Bodinga Mohammed disclosed that the project, domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is funded by the World Bank and French Development Agency to the tune of $575 million.

He explained that initially the project was designed to reach 8.2 million people, but it has now impacted about 11 million Nigerians adding that RAAMP was also building 39 agrologistics centers equipped with storage facilities, market sheds, water and electricity. He said Construction on the ALCs is about 40% complete, with full delivery expected by June or July.

He stated that the 5-year program would run till December 31,2027 saying plans are already underway for “RAAMP Scale-Up, which will open participation to all 36 states and the FCT.