Stakeholders push value-chain cooperatives, AfDB funding to turn conflict-hit communities into growth hubs
Key players from Nigeria’s private sector, civil society and development finance institutions have moved to chart a new, collaborative pathway for strengthening economic resilience and preventing violent extremism in the country’s most fragile and conflict-affected regions.
This was the focus of a high-level roundtable held in Abuja by the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network in partnership with the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), bringing together actors across finance, agriculture, research and community development.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the National Coordinator of the Media Against Violent Extremism (MAVE) Network, Senator Iroegbu, the dialogue featured prominent stakeholders including the Chairman of PAVE Network, Jaye Gaskia; GCERF Nigeria National Coordinator, Yetunde Adegoke; CEO of Nehemiah Foundation, Emmanuel Nehemiah; Green Legacy Nigeria’s Director of Research, Umar Saleh Anka; CEO of Agroxchange Group, Adenale Adegoke; and Investment Coordinator at Robust International Commodities Limited, Ilyasu Ishak, among others.
Opening the session, Gaskia stressed that the engagement was aimed at building deep, multi-layered partnerships rather than simply mobilising private capital. “We are not here only for funding. We are seeking technical expertise, innovative ideas and strategic support that can help scale sustainable solutions in fragile contexts,” he said.
A major highlight of the roundtable was the unveiling of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism – Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub (PCVE-KIRH), a digital platform developed by the PAVE Network. Gaskia explained that the hub would serve as a national repository for research, tools and best practices while also functioning as a community of practice that links practitioners, policymakers and investors to incubate and scale proven PCVE interventions.
Discussions also centred on a shift from traditional livelihood support models to value-chain cooperatives designed to build resilient local economies. Unlike conventional cooperatives that focus on a single activity, the proposed framework integrates the entire production ecosystem—producers, transporters, processors, packagers and distributors—creating sustainable value networks that connect communities to secondary markets.
According to Gaskia, the approach not only strengthens incomes and employment but also supports social cohesion and emotional recovery in communities emerging from conflict. “What we are building are value-chain cooperatives that address both economic and social vulnerabilities,” he noted.
Providing practical insights, Agroxchange Group CEO, Adenale Adegoke, outlined how integrated agro-value chains, digital agriculture platforms and in-grower schemes could unlock opportunities for young people while promoting environmental sustainability. “Our objective is to balance social, economic and environmental capital in a way that delivers jobs, higher incomes and long-term stability,” he said.
Access to development finance featured prominently, with discussions focusing on the African Development Bank’s Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) Support Facility. AfDB consultant, Jumobi Fashola, explained that the facility links peacebuilding with economic development by funding viable projects through state governments and private sector intermediaries, subject to strict governance and risk assessments.
He noted that projects are evaluated against factors such as climate risks, governance weaknesses, resource-based conflicts and unemployment pressures, with eligibility tied to strong feasibility studies and compliance with AfDB standards.
Ilyasu Ishak of Robust International Commodities Limited emphasised that funding constraints are often overstated. “Capital is available. The real challenge is capacity—developing bankable, low-risk proposals that give investors the confidence to commit,” he said.
Umar Saleh Anka shared findings from Green Legacy Nigeria’s research on the proposed Kano–Maraki Rail Line Green Corridor Project, which aims to convert a 400-kilometre rail corridor into a productive agroforestry zone that restores degraded land while reintegrating displaced populations into sustainable livelihoods.
On her part, GCERF Nigeria Coordinator, Yetunde Adegoke, disclosed ongoing engagements with the AfDB to explore de-risking mechanisms for community-driven, out-grower business models. She said GCERF is working to develop strong concept notes that can attract private sector participation and development finance support.
The roundtable ended with consensus on key priorities, including strengthening institutional frameworks, aligning interventions with state development plans, conducting rigorous feasibility studies and building local capacity to develop bankable projects. Participants also stressed the need to factor in political economy realities, such as alignment with gubernatorial tenures and long-term state strategies.
By combining private sector innovation, development finance and community-centred value-chain models, stakeholders expressed optimism that Nigeria’s fragile states can be repositioned from zones of instability to engines of inclusive growth, resilience and long-term peace.