csrreporters 
The Federal Government has announced plans to begin disbursing interest-free loans of up to ₦100,000 to smallholder farmers and micro-business owners across Nigeria before the end of 2025.
The initiative, implemented under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, was unveiled in Kaduna during an engagement with traders’ associations and stakeholders in the informal sector.
According to officials, the loans will be provided under FarmerMoni, targeting small-scale farmers in poultry, aquaculture, livestock, and crop production. Beneficiaries will enjoy a six-month grace period before repayment begins, enabling them to purchase vital inputs such as fertilisers, veterinary drugs, and farm equipment.
The intervention is part of the broader National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), which also includes TraderMoni for petty traders and youth entrepreneurs, and MarketMoni designed for women in small-scale trading. All loans are collateral-free and interest-free, structured to promote financial inclusion and support Nigerians at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
“These are not grants but repayable loans, designed to help Nigerians grow their businesses, join the formal financial system, and create jobs,” the programme manager explained. Loan amounts will range from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000, with monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure accountability and sustainability.
Local traders’ associations and cooperatives across Nigeria’s 774 LGAs will work with GEEP desk officers to ensure proper targeting of beneficiaries. The government stressed transparency as key to preventing abuse of the scheme.
First launched in 2016, GEEP has undergone reforms to strengthen delivery and accountability. Officials said the 2025 farmer-focused rollout would serve as a pilot for a nationwide expansion in 2026.
Stakeholders and market leaders welcomed the announcement, describing it as a lifeline for small businesses and a boost to grassroots economic growth. The government reaffirmed that GEEP will continue to complement other social investment programmes, including the Conditional Cash Transfer, Home-Grown School Feeding, and Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
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