In a major milestone for agricultural finance in Africa, Opportunity International has announced that it has now invested $500 million in smallholder farming initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The achievement is part of the nonprofit’s Agriculture Finance program, which supports over one million smallholder farming households across 12 countries.
The announcement, made on July 15, 2025, underscores a decade-long effort to transform small-scale agriculture into a powerful driver of food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Reaching Over One Million Farmers Across the Continent
Supporting over one million smallholder farming households throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Opportunity International collaborates with financial service providers across several countries.
Together, they deliver financial services, agricultural and business training, community support, and innovative digital solutions.
These interventions enabled smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable practices, improve yields, and expand economic opportunities.
“Smallholder farmers are the backbone of our food supplies. And investing in the people who feed the world is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty,” said Atul Tandon, CEO of Opportunity International.
Smallholder farmers, typically operating farms of five acres or less, are crucial to global food security.
They produce up to 80% of the food supply in low- and middle-income nations, and approximately 30% of the entire world’s food supply.
“Rural smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa only produce at 20-40% of their potential yields, and we aim to ensure these farmers can maximize their potential yields and earnings,” said Tim Strong, Opportunity’s Head of Agriculture Finance.
Yet, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, smallholder farmers are the most likely population on earth to be experiencing extreme poverty and hunger.
With an estimated funding gap for small-scale farming exceeding $170 billion annually, the need for financial inclusion efforts is a fundamental element in the fight against both poverty and hunger.
Opportunity’s Model: Blended Finance, Local Banks, and Tailored Solutions
Opportunity’s Agriculture Finance program directly addresses this gap by partnering with local financial service providers (FSPs) to customize financial products tailored to smallholder farmers’ unique challenges.
” We partnered with 26 local banks in 12 countries to lend $500 million in low-cost loans through our Agriculture Finance network,” said Tandon.
Utilizing blended capital solutions—including long-term guarantees, funded deposits, and low-cost debt to reduce interest rates—Opportunity supports local FSPs in expanding affordable lending to smallholders.
“This milestone proves that, together, we can ensure more families are nourished, more children receive education, and rural communities flourish,” affirmed Strong.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Agricultural Inclusion
In recent years, Opportunity has also launched several unique initiatives to further enhance financial inclusion and productivity among smallholders, including:
- Farmer Support Network
One of the most effective ways to reach farmers is by leveraging the strength of their communities.
Opportunity has trained and supported over 1,700 agricultural experts, embedded directly within rural communities to provide ongoing peer support and connections to crucial resources, reaching 510,195 smallholder farmers to date.
These Farmer Support Agents (FSAs) build trust within villages, help answer farmer questions, and provide access to training and financial services through Opportunity International’s on-the-ground staff.
- Digital Solutions through Emerging Technologies
In 2024, these Farmer Support Agents (FSAs) received new digital tools to further enhance their ability to address smallholder agricultural concerns.
Designed in-house by Opportunity’s Digital Innovations Group, the first generative AI chatbot for smallholder farmers in Africa works through WhatsApp, speaks the local languages, and taps into government agricultural data for hyper-local agricultural guidance.
Already assisting thousands of farmers in Malawi in adapting to droughts, pests, and market fluctuations, this AI solution is now expanding into Ghana and Kenya.
- Regenerative Agriculture Training and Support
Over recent decades, chemical-intensive and overtillage farming practices have degraded biodiversity and soil health globally, disproportionately affecting smallholder farmers.
Through its newest regenerative agriculture programs, Opportunity has successfully guided farmers toward practices that promote healthier soil, stronger crops, and sustainable farming systems.
The average pilot plot maize yields grow 48% higher compared to conventional plots.
Tangible Impact on Jobs and Food Systems
According to Opportunity International’s 2024 Impact Report, these strategies have led to remarkable outcomes, including the creation or sustenance of over 2.1 million jobs in 2024 alone.
This impact ripples beyond the farms themselves—into schools, markets, and local economies.
Opportunity International’s integrated model, which combines finance, education, training, and digital access, aims to not only grow crops but to grow resilience.
A Long-Term Vision
Founded 54 years ago, Opportunity International today serves 21 million families, helping them build sustainable livelihoods and educate their children.
In 2024 alone, Opportunity International and its partners helped fund more than 19,000 schools, reaching 3.4 million children.
The $500 million milestone is not simply a figure.
It represents progress toward food security, economic empowerment, and community transformation in regions long left behind by formal financial systems.
And with growing momentum around climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation, and blended capital strategies, Opportunity International is poised to help shape the future of farming across the continent.
