Written by The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has issued a competitive call for proposals to select an implementing partner for a new research and scaling initiative targeting digital agricultural and financial services for rural smallholder farmers.
Organisations have until May 13, 2026 to submit their proposals.
The project, titled “Evidence for Scale-Up of AgTech and FinTech Solutions through IFAD’s PoLG,” sits under IFAD’s Innovatech programme, which focuses on scaling digital solutions for small-scale farmers across developing regions.
Its core purpose is not to deploy technology directly but to generate structured, verifiable evidence on which digital interventions actually work for rural farmers and why is because evidence that investors and policymakers can use to scale what succeeds.
The selected partner will evaluate outcomes of AgTech and FinTech solutions, develop a standardised impact reporting methodology, and support the expansion of both financial and non-financial digital services in agriculture.
This matters because the gap in the sector is not a shortage of digital tools. It’s a shortage of credible data on whether those tools improve rural livelihoods at scale.
Who Can Apply
Non-governmental organisations, non-profit bodies, and commercial entities with demonstrated technical experience in evaluating development interventions are eligible.
IFAD is specifically looking for organisations with a track record in AgTech, FinTech, or rural development assessment across relevant geographic regions.
Applicants don’t need to be based in a single country, but they must show they understand the terrain, geographically and thematically.
Organisations may form partnerships to strengthen their bid, but one lead applicant must take full responsibility for delivery, management, and reporting. Any partner roles must be clearly defined in the proposal.
How to Apply
Proposals must be submitted in English and include three items: a completed Grant Concept Note template, a self-certification of eligibility form, and a brief institutional profile showing relevant experience in AgTech, FinTech, evaluation, and the proposed geographic focus.
IFAD will review all submissions on technical, financial, and legal grounds.
The fund reserves the right to modify or cancel the selection process at any stage. Proposal preparation costs are not reimbursed, and only shortlisted applications proceed to further evaluation.
Why This Matters for Nigeria and Africa
Nigerian organisations working in digital agriculture, rural finance, or development impact evaluation should take note.
IFAD’s Innovatech programme has a direct interest in African smallholder contexts, and a credible Nigerian or African-led consortium with documented field experience is well-positioned to contribute.
The programme’s goal of building a standardised impact reporting framework also has long-term implications for how agri-investment decisions are made across the continent.
Source: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) ( ifad.org )
