Nigerians interested in building careers or starting businesses in agriculture and agribusiness can apply for the SUSTAIN Developing Agribusiness Talent Training Programme 2026, a free skills development initiative aimed at preparing participants for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in Nigeria’s growing agribusiness sector.
The programme is being implemented under the Strengthening Underlying Systems and TVETs for Agribusiness Innovation in Nigeria (SUSTAIN) project, an Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) initiative led by Sydani through the Team Europe Initiative Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa (TEI OP-VET).
The programme is designed to equip participants with practical skills in areas including agribusiness management, value-chain development, digital agriculture, data analytics and entrepreneurship.
Participants will progress through three training levels, moving from foundational agribusiness knowledge to specialised professional skills and, ultimately, business development.
Level 1: Become an Agribusiness Generalist
The first level provides participants with a broad understanding of how the agribusiness sector operates.
Training areas include:
- Agribusiness management principles
- Value-chain analysis and development
- Gender and social inclusion
- Digital agribusiness tools and e-commerce
Level 1 runs for three months and is delivered through a self-paced learning format.
Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate and may also benefit from job-placement support.
Eligibility: Open to all interested participants.
Level 2: Develop Specialised Agribusiness Skills
Participants who complete Level 1, or have equivalent knowledge of agribusiness, can progress to Level 2.
This stage uses a hybrid learning approach and focuses on specialised skills aligned with employment opportunities and industry needs.
The initial training includes Agribusiness Digital Systems and Data Analytics, with additional courses expected to be developed based on identified skills gaps within the sector.
Level 2 also runs for three months and provides participants with a certificate and access to job-placement support.
Level 3: Build Your Agribusiness
Level 3 is targeted at participants who want to transform their knowledge and ideas into viable agribusiness ventures.
The training covers areas such as:
- Agribusiness innovation and investment pitching
- Entrepreneurship
- Business plan development
- Costing and pricing
- Negotiation with suppliers and buyers
- Setting up or strengthening a micro-enterprise
Unlike the first two levels, Level 3 is delivered fully in person over three months.
Successful participants will receive a certificate and may gain access to a soft grant pathway to support the development of their businesses. However, spaces at this level are limited.
Who Can Apply?
The SUSTAIN programme is open to Nigerians interested in developing careers or businesses in the agribusiness sector.
Level 1 is open to all interested applicants, while progression to Level 2 requires completion of Level 1 or equivalent agribusiness knowledge.
Applicants seeking to participate in Level 3 must have completed Level 2 or demonstrate equivalent knowledge. Participation at Level 3 is subject to limited spaces.
The programme may be particularly useful for graduates, aspiring entrepreneurs, early-career professionals and individuals seeking practical skills for employment or business opportunities within Nigeria’s agriculture and agribusiness sector.
Benefits of the Programme
Successful participants can benefit from:
- Free agribusiness training
- Professional certification
- Practical knowledge of agribusiness and value chains
- Digital agriculture and data skills
- Job-placement support
- Specialised career development
- Entrepreneurship and business-development training
- Access to a soft grant pathway at Level 3
The SUSTAIN project seeks to strengthen agribusiness skills while creating clearer pathways into employment and entrepreneurship for Nigerians.
How to Apply
Interested Nigerians can register through the official SUSTAIN programme platform.
Applicants can also join the programme’s waitlist to receive updates on available courses, training opportunities and relevant job openings.
Apply or join the SUSTAIN programme: SUSTAIN Official Website
Programme Details
Programme: SUSTAIN Developing Agribusiness Talent
Location: Nigeria
Cost: Free
Level 1 Duration: 3 months
Level 1 Format: Self-paced
Level 2 Duration: 3 months
Level 2 Format: Hybrid
Level 3 Duration: 3 months
Level 3 Format: In-person
Certificate: Yes, upon completion
Job Placement Support: Available
Level 3 Grant Pathway: Available
Eligibility: Level 1 is open to all interested participants
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