The three-year Research and Innovation for Systems Advancement (RISA) project has reached its successful conclusion, marking a watershed moment for Nigeria’s agricultural mechanization. Funded by UK International Development (UKAid) and implemented by Adam Smith International, the project has transitioned from a research exercise into a robust, self-sustaining industrial network.
At the “Strengthening Systems” close-out event in early 2026, stakeholders celebrated the shift from “siloed research” to a demand-driven commercialization model that bridges the gap between the lab and the farm.
1. Breaking the Silos: The “Connection” Strategy
RISA’s primary achievement was the creation of a unified ecosystem where researchers, fabricators (machine builders), and farmers finally speak the same language.
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35+ Supported Innovations: RISA didn’t just fund ideas; it co-created solutions. Innovations range from high-efficiency multipurpose threshers to specialized palm oil digesters designed for women-led cooperatives.
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Digital E-Commerce Hub: In partnership with the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), a new digital platform now allows 2,000 innovators across 14 states to market their machines directly to agribusinesses.
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Database of Fabricators: For the first time, a GPS-mapped database of Nigerian machine builders exists, detailing their specific skills, equipment, and contact info to help investors find local partners easily.
2. CONESAM: The New Community of Practice
A cornerstone of the project’s legacy is the Connection of Stakeholders in Agricultural Mechanization (CONESAM).
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What it is: A national coalition that provides a governance structure for the agri-tech sector.
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Impact: CONESAM has hosted three National Innovation Summits, ensuring that state governments and private investors remain aligned with the needs of local fabricators. It now operates regional hubs across all six geopolitical zones.
3. The Digital Manufacturing Makerspace (DMM)
RISA introduced the Digital Manufacturing Makerspace, a high-tech hub that brings “Industry 4.0” to Nigerian agriculture.
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Tools of the Trade: The DMM provides access to Additive (3D printing) and Subtractive (CNC milling) manufacturing tools.
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Prototyping: Small-scale fabricators can now use digital designs and 3D modeling to test their machines before they even touch a piece of steel, drastically reducing waste and cost.
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Art2Connect & ActiVEX: These specialized platforms focus on youth-led innovation, ensuring that the next generation of engineers sees agriculture as a high-tech career path.
Key Outcomes: RISA by the Numbers (2021–2026)
| Metric | Result |
| Innovations Supported | 35+ (locally co-created) |
| Innovators Mapped | 2,000 (across 14 pilot states) |
| National Summits | 3 (focused on mechanization) |
| Machine Outreach | 200+ locally built machines reached 800+ businesses |
| Ecosystem Actors | 600+ interconnected stakeholders |
The Road Ahead
While the RISA fund officially concludes its pilot cycle, the structures it built—like CONESAM and the NBTI digital platform—are designed for long-term survival. The project has laid the groundwork for Nigeria to transition from an importer of expensive foreign machinery to a regional hub for affordable, durable, and locally-maintained agricultural tools.
As Samuel Abass, National Technical Advisor for RISA-KCC, noted: the goal was to “reduce drudgery” for the Nigerian farmer while creating a billion-naira industry for the Nigerian engineer.
