To bridge Nigeria’s rural development gap, the Federal Government has partnered with the World Bank and other international agencies to expand the scope and impact of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). The initiative is aimed at transforming rural road infrastructure, boosting agricultural value chains, and improving market accessibility for underserved communities nationwide.
This was revealed during the Early Market Engagement Event held in Abuja on Thursday, bringing together stakeholders from government agencies, private contractors, suppliers, and development partners. The event served as a strategic platform to prepare stakeholders for fresh procurement opportunities under the RAAMP scale-up phase.
Director of the Project Coordinating Unit, Bukar Musa, stated that the event marked a significant milestone in preparing the market for robust and competitive procurement processes. He emphasized that “this engagement is not only about showcasing opportunities but also about laying the groundwork for sustainable and impactful infrastructure development that benefits rural communities.”
RAAMP, supported by the World Bank, KfW, and the French Development Agency, among others, was first launched to address Nigeria’s growing need for accessible rural transportation. The programme focuses on rehabilitating rural roads and enhancing the flow of agricultural produce to market, thereby improving the livelihoods of rural farmers and residents.
National Coordinator of RAAMP, Aminu Mohammed, explained that the expanded phase of the project presents new opportunities while demanding increased transparency, accountability, and adherence to global standards.
“This forum is not merely a formality, but a strategic step in preparing the ground for successful and impactful delivery of rural infrastructure and services across Nigeria,” Mohammed said. “We must elevate our level of professionalism to ensure quality delivery and compliance with international best practices.”
Also addressing participants, Procurement Consultant Muhammad Yahaya explained that future contracts would be executed through national, international, and limited procurement methods in line with the World Bank’s Investment Project Financing (IPF) procurement guidelines. This, he noted, would create room for wider participation from both local and foreign contractors and consultants.
He noted, “The new phase will involve procurement for works, goods, and consultancy services, and it will be structured to accommodate different categories of bidders depending on their areas of expertise.”
Lead Infrastructure Engineer, Bukar Gana, emphasized the significance of low-volume roads being constructed under the RAAMP programme. “These are not highways, but they serve as economic arteries connecting remote communities to major trade routes. They support agriculture, education, and health services by making them accessible all year round.”
He highlighted that most of the roads are selected based on their potential to unlock socio-economic opportunities, especially in rural agrarian communities.
The event also served as a technical briefing on procurement packaging, contract implementation, and expected outcomes. Participants were given insights into quality benchmarks, environmental and social safeguards, and financial compliance.
Stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Works, and representatives from state governments in the North, South, and Middle Belt regions, praised the renewed collaboration and expressed optimism about the project’s ability to reduce rural-urban disparity and drive inclusive development.
The Federal Government’s commitment to rural infrastructure comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to diversify its economy and reduce poverty through agriculture and small-scale enterprise growth. With nearly 60% of Nigeria’s population residing in rural areas, the success of RAAMP’s expansion could significantly boost food security, job creation, and internal trade.
As Nigeria continues to receive technical and financial backing from the World Bank and its development partners, RAAMP stands as a beacon of hope for millions living in isolated rural areas, promising better connectivity, economic empowerment, and sustainable community development.