Sahel Capital has closed a $650,000 loan facility for Nigeria-based Noma Services Consolidated Limited through its Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa, known as SEFAA. The financing includes $400,000 in working capital and $250,000 for capital expenditure, providing Noma with additional resources to expand commodity aggregation and strengthen its operating infrastructure. The transaction reflects SEFAA’s strategy of backing commercially viable agribusinesses that improve market access for smallholder farmers and contribute to rural economic development across sub-Saharan Africa.
Financing to Expand Aggregation Capacity
Noma plans to use the working capital portion of the facility to increase the volume of agricultural commodities it purchases directly from farmers, while the capital expenditure component will support equipment and operational expansion. The company aggregates and processes rice, maize, sorghum, and beans, supplying produce to established fast-moving consumer goods companies and other buyers that require reliable volumes and consistent quality. By improving its capacity to purchase, handle, and distribute crops, Noma aims to create more predictable sales channels for farmers and reinforce its role within Nigeria’s agricultural supply chain.
A Growing Network of Smallholder Farmers
Incorporated in 2021, with operations dating back to 2018, Noma is headquartered in Abuja and works with a network of more than 11,000 smallholder farmers. The agribusiness operates central aggregation hubs in Mabushi, Niger, and Kaduna, alongside regional hubs in Kano and Jigawa, giving it access to several important agricultural production areas. It also supports participating farmers with irrigation facilities and tractors, measures designed to improve productivity, reduce operational constraints, and strengthen the consistency of supply.
Shift Toward Direct Commodity Aggregation
According to Sahel Capital Partner Deji Adebusoye, Noma has become an important link between smallholder producers and structured commercial markets in Nigeria. He said the company’s shift from an input-financing model toward direct aggregation represents a more scalable approach and demonstrates growing strategic and operational maturity. Sahel Capital views the financing as support for the next stage of Noma’s development, particularly as the company seeks to deepen relationships with farmers and expand its capacity to serve large buyers.
Management Sees Facility as Growth Milestone
Noma Managing Director Daniel Enesi Asido described the facility as an important milestone that will provide both the liquidity and equipment required to expand the company’s aggregation activities. He said the financing should allow Noma to increase its impact across its farmer network while strengthening the company’s ability to collect, process, and deliver agricultural commodities. Asido also highlighted Sahel Capital’s experience in African agribusiness as a key reason the investment manager was considered a suitable long-term financing partner.
SEFAA’s Agribusiness Investment Mandate
SEFAA primarily provides structured debt to small and medium-sized agribusinesses operating across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on enterprises that generate measurable social and economic benefits. Sahel Capital also manages the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria, which invests in Nigerian agribusiness SMEs, and is raising capital for Sahel Capital Agribusiness Fund II to pursue opportunities across West Africa. The Noma transaction was advised by Duale Ovia & Alex-Adedipe and adds to Sahel Capital’s broader efforts to strengthen food systems, raise rural incomes, and improve food security.
The $650,000 facility gives Noma additional financial capacity to expand direct sourcing, invest in equipment, and serve a larger share of Nigeria’s agricultural market. For SEFAA, the deal demonstrates how structured debt can help growth-stage agribusinesses scale while extending commercial opportunities to thousands of smallholder farmers. The transaction also underscores the continuing demand for specialized agricultural finance capable of addressing working capital constraints and infrastructure needs across African food value chains.