The funding is expected to scale up the company’s franchise model, boost food security, and help farmers withstand growing climate pressures.

Agriculture is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, accounting for about 25% of GDP and employing more than 70% of the workforce. However, smallholder farmers, responsible for producing around 70% of the nation’s food, still live below the poverty line, many earning less than $2 daily. 

In northern Nigeria, these challenges are even more severe due to poor soil quality, erratic rainfall, and limited access to modern farming practices.

Babban Gona’s model offers end-to-end support including credit, training, harvest and storage services, as well as market access. In enabling top-performing farmers to run micro-enterprises that distribute inputs and financing to peers, the company has doubled net incomes for many participants compared to the national average. With BII’s backing, Babban Gona aims to reach about 140,000 farmers by 2029.

“Our partnership with Babban Gona is a great example of how BII is using catalytic capital to support innovative, high-impact business models that transform lives and economies,” said Benson Adenuga, BII’s West Africa regional director and head of office for Nigeria. 

“By backing this pioneering franchise model, we are not only addressing a critical financing gap but also helping to build a more resilient and productive agricultural sector and support smallholder farmers in a region that is often overlooked by investors.”

Climate resilience stands at the core of Babban Gona’s approach. The company provides drought-tolerant seeds, climate-smart inputs, and insurance products that shield farmers from extreme weather shocks, essential in a country where floods in 2022 and 2024 destroyed crops and displaced thousands.

Since 2018, Babban Gona has deployed AI tools trained on over two million images to help farmers identify crop diseases with just a smartphone photo. Its offline-enabled mobile apps ensure that even those in remote, low-connectivity areas can benefit. 

The same AI technology is used to support antenatal care for rural women and English literacy programmes for children, expanding its impact beyond agriculture.

Kola Masha, Babban Gona’s managing director, noted how early adoption of AI shaped the company’s global standing. “Our early work in AI enabled us to build very strong relationships in the space,” he said. “We were one of 12 organisations around the world brought into a small monastery in Lake Como with the likes of Nvidia, OpenAI, and Google to think about the role of AI for global development.”

Beyond farming, Babban Gona is experimenting with sustainable transport solutions in rural areas, including two-wheeler e-bikes and charging stations, an initiative Masha describes as building “the equivalent of a Tesla for northern Nigeria.”

BII’s latest investment is a medium to back African agribusiness, following recent commitments to companies like AgDevCo and Johnvents. 

For northern Nigeria’s farmers, however, the impact could be more immediate, with access to finance, tools to survive climate shocks, and a chance to earn a dignified income.

The age of AI has seen organisations and industries rethinking their business processes and the value of human resources.

AI acts as a catalyst for technological innovation, driving progress across various industries by enhancing efficiency, enabling new capabilities, and fostering creativity and problem-solving.

Its integration into research, development, and implementation processes fuels ongoing innovation in the technological landscape.

The innovative power immersed in AI has seen the technology attract significant investments. The International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that by 2027, spending on generative AI solutions, which includes software, related infrastructure hardware, and IT/business services needed to implement the generative AI, will reach $143 billion.

At the just-ended CES event in Las Vegas, leading technology firms showcased huge investments, showing how AI is now embedded in everyday life.

AI finds widespread use in several industries through applications like machine learning, natural language processing, voice and image recognition, and robotic process automation. Its impact extends across sectors, optimising workflows, understanding customer behaviour, cutting expenses, enhancing decision-making abilities, and sparking transformative changes. From healthcare to finance manufacturing and more, AI is revolutionising key industries by driving change and innovation at a rapid pace.

Artificial Intelligence in healthcare:

AI is transforming healthcare in numerous ways, driving innovation and advancement across various facets of the industry.

As an example, AI-powered systems can analyse medical images, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, to assist healthcare professionals in detecting diseases and abnormalities more accurately and quickly than traditional methods.

For personalised medicine, AI algorithms analyse vast amounts of patient data to identify patterns and make predictions about an individual’s response to treatment. This helps in tailoring treatments to specific genetic make-ups and characteristics.

AI is also playing a key role in assisting surgeons by providing precision and accuracy in surgeries, enabling robots to perform procedures with increased efficiency and reduced risk.

Overall, AI’s ability to process large amounts of data, recognise patterns, and make predictions is revolutionising healthcare by improving accuracy, efficiency, and personalised care.

Artificial Intelligence in manufacturing:

AI is revolutionising manufacturing by enhancing efficiency, precision, and adaptability across various processes.

Innovative use of AI in the manufacturing sector is evident when it comes to predictive maintenance. AI-powered predictive analytics can anticipate equipment failures by analysing data from sensors and machinery. This allows for proactive maintenance, reducing downtime and preventing costly breakdowns.

From a quality control and defect detection point of view, AI systems use computer vision and machine learning to identify defects or anomalies in products during the manufacturing process. This ensures higher product quality and reduces waste.

“In essence, AI’s ability to process and analyse vast amounts of data, make autonomous decisions, and learn from patterns is transforming manufacturing, making it more efficient, adaptable, and responsive to changing demands,” says Stefan Steffen, Executive: Data Insights and Intelligence, at BCX.

Artificial Intelligence in agriculture

AI is playing a crucial role in transforming agriculture by introducing innovative solutions to address various challenges in the industry. For instance, AI, combined with satellite imagery and sensors, enables precision agriculture.

Farmers can optimise crop yields by analysing data on soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilisation, and pesticide use.

Farmers are also making use of AI-powered drones and sensors to monitor crop health, detect diseases, and assess plant growth. This information allows them to take timely actions, such as adjusting irrigation or applying targeted treatments, to improve overall crop yield and quality.

AI algorithms can also analyse historical and real-time data to predict crop yields. This information helps farmers plan more effectively, optimise resource allocation, and make informed decisions on planting and harvesting timelines. “By harnessing the power of AI, agriculture is becoming more data-driven, efficient, and sustainable. These innovations are helping farmers overcome challenges and contribute to the development of a more resilient and productive global food system,” Steffen says.

AI in mining

Mining is also a key industry that is harnessing the power of AI to boost innovation, especially when it comes to enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

For the mining sector, AI assists in analysing geological data to identify potential mining sites and estimate the quality and quantity of mineral resources. Machine learning algorithms can process large datasets, helping geologists make more informed decisions about exploration.

AI-enabled autonomous vehicles, including trucks, drills, and loaders, can hugely increase efficiency and safety in mining operations. These systems use sensors and algorithms to navigate and perform tasks without human intervention.

AI-driven robots are employed for tasks in hazardous environments, such as inspections, repairs, and rescue missions. This helps minimise risks to human workers in dangerous areas of mines.

Artificial Intelligence in retail

To stay competitive, the retail sector is also tapping into the power of AI. By deploying the technology, retailers can analyse customer data, including purchase history, preferences, and browsing behaviour, to provide personalised product recommendations.

This enhances the shopping experience, increases customer satisfaction, and boosts sales.

Another example is where AI-powered chatbots assist customers with inquiries, product recommendations, and order tracking. Virtual assistants enhance customer service, providing 24/7 support and freeing up human staff for more complex tasks.

“By leveraging these AI technologies, retailers can stay competitive, adapt to changing consumer expectations, and create more efficient and personalised shopping experiences, ultimately driving innovation within the retail industry,” Steffen says.

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