The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute reported first-year results from its climate-smart lending pilot in Nigeria, which uses 40 years of district-level rainfall and temperature data to match farmers with suitable crops and adaptation investments. Implemented with LAPO Microfinance Bank, Visa Foundation and “la Caixa” Foundation, the three-year initiative aims to disburse USD 20 million in credit, reach 20,000 smallholder farmers and support 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises annually through commercially viable, gender-inclusive products. Water storage pools have reduced crop losses by up to 50% during dry spells, while drainage systems have increased yields by as much as 100% in flood-prone areas. Solar dehydrators have cut post-harvest losses by up to 60%, enabling women farmers to sell produce off-season at three to five times the regular price. The pilot targets women for one-third of climate-smart farmer credit and earmarks 45% of SME credit for female-led businesses, using gender-disaggregated data to identify exclusion in lending decisions.
2026-09-14World Savings and Retail Banking Institute
World Savings and Retail Banking Institute reports early gains from Nigeria climate-smart lending pilot
The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute reported early gains from its Nigeria climate-smart lending pilot, including crop-loss reductions of up to 50%, yield increases of up to 100% and post-harvest loss reductions of up to 60%. The three-year initiative targets USD 20 million in credit for 20,000 smallholder farmers and support for 5,000 SMEs annually, with specific allocations for women farmers and female-led businesses.