Dutch Government Transfers 2SCALE Legacy and Stewardship to IAMN

The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has formally handed over the Nigerian legacy of the 2SCALE programme to the Institute of Agribusiness Management Nigeria (IAMN), marking a new phase in the advancement of inclusive agribusiness in the country.

The transition was announced at the official 2SCALE closing and handover ceremony held in Iseyin, Oyo State. The event brought together the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Bengt van Loosdrecht, 2SCALE leadership, IAMN representatives, agribusiness executives, development partners, farmers, and other industry stakeholders.

For 13 years, 2SCALE (Towards Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness through Learning in Entrepreneurship) supported the development of inclusive and commercially sustainable agrifood systems in Nigeria and other African countries. Funded by the Netherlands Government and implemented by the International Fertilizer Development Center, Bopinc, and SNV, the programme used public-private partnerships to connect farmers, agribusiness enterprises, financial institutions, input providers, and markets.

In Nigeria, 2SCALE reportedly connected more than 166,000 smallholder farmers to markets through its incubation and acceleration activities. Its interventions strengthened agribusiness clusters, expanded market opportunities, promoted women’s and youth participation, and helped businesses integrate smallholder farmers into commercially viable value chains.

The transition to IAMN is intended to preserve and expand these achievements beyond the period of direct donor support. IAMN will promote the continued application of 2SCALE’s field-tested knowledge, tools, partnership models, and inclusive business practices within Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem.

Sustaining the 2SCALE Legacy

IAMN and 2SCALE began laying the foundation for this transition in 2023 through the establishment of the Inclusive Agribusiness Club. The Club provides a national platform where agribusiness enterprises, farmers, development organizations, financial institutions, researchers, and policymakers can exchange knowledge and develop practical solutions for inclusive agricultural growth.

Under IAMN’s stewardship, the initiative will continue to promote:

• stronger participation of smallholder farmers in commercial value chains;
• responsible and commercially sustainable sourcing models;
• greater inclusion of women and young people;
• knowledge exchange among agribusiness stakeholders;
• public-private partnerships that strengthen food systems; and
• capacity building for enterprises adopting inclusive business practices.

The handover represents more than the conclusion of a development programme. It reflects a deliberate shift towards local ownership, institutional continuity, and the long-term application of knowledge developed through more than a decade of practical agribusiness partnerships.

Through the Inclusive Agribusiness Club and its wider professional network, IAMN will work with local and international partners to ensure that the lessons, relationships, and proven approaches developed by 2SCALE continue to support competitive enterprises, resilient value chains, and inclusive food systems across Nigeria.