Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes

What Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes does

Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) is a World Bank-financed development project implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria to address land degradation, desertification, and climate change across 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. Initiated on November 19, 2021 with a six-year implementation horizon ending in 2028, the project operates through three integrated components: Dryland Watershed Management (Component A), Community Climate Resilience (Component B), and Institutional Strengthening and Project Management (Component C). ACReSAL has materially exceeded its Year 4 targets, having restored 707,101.75 hectares of degraded land (against a 476,000-hectare Year 4 target as of November 2025) and reached 8,994,788 direct beneficiaries (against a 3,400,000 target as of June 2025), with female beneficiaries comprising 47% of the total. The project has been ranked among the top-performing World Bank projects globally.

The project delivers a portfolio of integrated programs combining physical infrastructure, financial instruments, and knowledge platforms. Physical programs include solar-powered boreholes and small dams, irrigation schemes, Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID), gully erosion control, and forest reserve rehabilitation across national parks and game reserves including Yankari and Jos Wildlife Park. Financial and community programs include a Community Revolving Fund (CRF) targeting approximately 2,800 communities and a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) framework being piloted in Adamawa State with an MRV system under development. Knowledge platforms include Strategic Catchment Management Plans across 20 macro-catchments and 200 micro-catchments, a Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (DPAE) platform delivering Hausa-language voice advisories to smallholder farmers (transitioned to FMAFS in June 2025), NDVI-based vegetation monitoring, and an FAO-pioneered Delfino plough/halfmoon regenerative agriculture technique. Implementation is managed through a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) in Abuja and 19 State Project Management Units (SPMUs), supported by Local Government Implementation Committees (LGICs) and traditional authority structures.

ACReSAL is a non-commercial development initiative, not a revenue-generating enterprise. The project provides all interventions free of charge to beneficiary communities and is funded entirely through World Bank financing to the Federal Government of Nigeria, with counterpart support from state governments across the 19 northern states and FCT. There is no pricing model, no paying customers, and no traditional equity ownership; program governance sits with a Steering Committee chaired by the Minister of Environment. Target beneficiaries include smallholder farmers, women-led agricultural groups, youth enterprises, internally displaced persons, and rural communities affected by desertification, water scarcity, and farmer-herder conflicts. Technical partnerships with the World Bank, FAO, IITA, Precision Development (PxD), NASRDA, NIHSA, and Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) underpin the program's integrated approach.

Name

Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes

Legal name

Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL)

Website

https://acresal.gov.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ACReSAL is a World Bank-financed government project that restores degraded landscapes and builds climate resilience for smallholder farmers and rural communities across 19 northern Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory through watershed management, irrigation, and digital extension.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Development Project / Landscape Restoration

NAICS

Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAGAMAB

Conservation Agriculture (Erosion Control, Contour/Strip Cropping, Mulching)

Agriculture & Food Production/Crop Farming/Sustainable Farming Practices

SECONDARYEUABABAD

Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/Carbon Project Development & Origination (Nature-based & Tech-based)

SECONDARYAFACAAAJ

Land Clearing & Field Reclamation Services (Brush, Stump Removal)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Custom Farming & Field Operations (Planting, Spraying, Harvesting)

Keywords

• Landscape restoration programs
• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Watershed management services
• Dryland ecosystem restoration
• Agricultural extension platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACReSAL is a World Bank-financed government project that delivers integrated landscape restoration and climate-resilient agriculture interventions across 19 northern Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory. Its core offerings combine dryland watershed management, community climate resilience programs (irrigation, solar boreholes, community revolving funds), and institutional strengthening, executed through State Project Management Units, Local Government Implementation Committees, and community interest groups.

Product overview

ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes) is a World Bank-financed project implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria targeting 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. The project operates through three integrated components: Dryland Watershed Management (Component A), Community Climate Resilience (Component B), and Institutional Strengthening and Project Management (Component C). The portfolio includes both infrastructure programs (solar-powered boreholes, irrigation schemes, erosion control) and knowledge platforms (Digital Precision Agricultural Extension system, Strategic Catchment Management Plans). Key programs include the Community Revolving Fund providing microfinance to 2,800+ communities, Farmer-Led Irrigation Development, Regenerative Agriculture using FAO's Delfino plough methodology, and Payments for Ecosystem Services for carbon sequestration. The project aims to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land by 2028, benefiting 3.4 million direct beneficiaries across northern Nigeria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (DPAE) Platform A mobile-based farming advisory service that sends automated voice messages in Hausa language to smallholder farmers' phones, providing personalized, climate-smart guidance on weather, crop management, pest control and input use based on specific crops, locations, and farming season stages.
• Community Revolving Fund (CRF) A community-level fund supporting registered community and farmer groups to undertake climate-smart investments. Groups prepare business plans and apply for loans appraised and approved at the local government level.
• Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMPs) Comprehensive watershed-scale planning documents providing guidance for sustainable land and water management, integrating climate resilience, ecological restoration, and livelihood development with community participation.
• Solar-Powered Boreholes and Water Infrastructure Climate-resilient water management systems including solar-powered boreholes, small dams, and irrigation networks providing reliable access to clean water for agricultural and domestic use.
• Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) Demand-driven support enabling farmers to increase irrigation through access to small-scale solar-powered irrigation equipment and information from private-sector suppliers.
• Regenerative Agriculture Program FAO-pioneered approach using Delfino ploughs that mimic traditional half-moon water harvesting, combined with hybrid agroforestry models on communal lands producing non-timber forestry products such as fodder, gum Arabic, balanites, and bee-keeping outputs.
• Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) Climate finance mechanism providing financial incentives to landowners or land users who adopt sustainable land management practices that enhance ecological services such as carbon sequestration, supported by a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.
• Forest and Protected Area Management Support for national parks and gazetted forest reserves including Yankari Game Reserve, Jos Wildlife Park, and Gombe State Department of Forestry, covering afforestation, construction of ranger posts with equipment, anti-poaching initiatives, and wildlife conservation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 707,101.75 hectares restored (November 2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, primary and supporting.

• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026Strategic technical assistance partnership under Component B of ACReSAL. IITA provides technical support for Climate Smart Agriculture and Farmer-Led Irrigation Development interventions. IITA brings drought-resistant crop varieties, soil health diagnostic tools, and water-use methodologies. Dr. Alpha Yaya Kamara represents IITA. Partnership expected to strengthen national and state level delivery systems and build institutional capacity.
• Precision Development (PxD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Developed the Nigeria Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (DPAE) platform in collaboration with ACReSAL. Built and piloted the mobile-based advisory service delivering voice messages in Hausa to farmers. Platform developed using 'Build, Operate, Transfer' approach. Chief Strategy Officer Jonathan Lehe led the development.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2021FAO provides technical guidance on landscape restoration, particularly the Delfino plough technique and Halfmoon regenerative agriculture approach. FAO conducts step-down training for ACReSAL staff and supports community-led landscape restoration. Mr. Giacomo Branca from FAO Investment Centre engaged on Payments for Ecosystem Services framework. FAO training sessions conducted in multiple states.
• Federal Ministry of EnvironmentprimaryOthersLead federal ministry for ACReSAL. Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal serves as Chairman of ACReSAL Steering Committee. Ministry houses the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU).
• Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS)primaryOthersImplementing ministry for agricultural components of ACReSAL. Minister of State Dr. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi actively engaged in project oversight. Working on Digital Precision Agricultural Extension platform transition and climate-smart agriculture implementation.
• Federal Ministry of Water Resources and SanitationprimaryOthersImplementing ministry for water resources management components including small dams, boreholes, and irrigation networks. Eng. Babarinde Segun Mukaila, Director of Water Supply, represents the ministry at ACReSAL events.
• National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSupport for Geographic Information System (GIS) center construction and spatial data management. ACReSAL GIS platform operational for watershed mapping and monitoring.
• Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA)supportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides hydrological data and expertise for watershed management planning and water resources interventions.
• Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for solar-powered electrification and borehole construction. Collaboration for providing solar-powered infrastructure to rural communities and MDAs.
• State Governments (19 Northern States + FCT)primaryOthersAll 19 northern Nigerian states and FCT are implementing partners. Each state has a Project Management Unit, State Steering Committee, and State Technical Committee. Governors actively engaged in project launches and oversight. States provide counterpart funding and enabling environment for implementation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization with deep work on landscape restoration, AFR100, and dryland management. Co-manages the Global Restoration Initiative and provides technical knowledge products comparable to ACReSAL's Strategic Catchment Management Plans.

Emerging players

• Digital Green: Develops digital agricultural extension tools to help smallholder farmers in Africa and South Asia. Comparable to PxD's DPAE platform within ACReSAL in deploying video- and voice-based advisory services to smallholder farmers.

Broad incumbents

• SNV Netherlands Development Organisation: Implements climate-smart agriculture, water management, and landscape restoration projects in developing countries. Operates comparable programs in West Africa focused on smallholder resilience and sustainable land management.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): German development agency implementing climate-smart agriculture, land restoration, and rural development projects across the Sahel. Operates comparable donor-funded landscape restoration programs in West Africa with similar federal-state coordination models.
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): UN agency financing rural agricultural development in developing countries. IFAD funds similar smallholder-focused climate adaptation, sustainable land management, and rural finance projects across West Africa, comparable to ACReSAL's CRF and irrigation components.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): FAO provides technical guidance on the Delfino plough and halfmoon regenerative agriculture technique to ACReSAL. FAO operates globally with similar landscape restoration and climate-resilient agriculture programs in drylands, making it a broad peer in the same development space.
• UNDP Nigeria Climate Action: Implements multi-sector development projects in Nigeria including climate resilience, livelihood diversification, and landscape restoration. Operates comparable programs across northern Nigerian states with similar donor-funded structures.

Direct peers

• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA): Core technical partner of ACReSAL providing drought-resistant crop varieties, soil health diagnostics, and farmer-led irrigation methodologies across Nigeria. Both share a focus on climate-smart agriculture for smallholder farmers in West Africa.
• World Agroforestry (ICRAF): CGIAR research center focused on agroforestry, land restoration, and climate adaptation in the Sahel. ICRAF's work on agroforestry systems and dryland restoration directly overlaps with ACReSAL's hybrid agroforestry and PES components.
• Precision Development (PxD): Built and piloted the Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (DPAE) platform with ACReSAL, delivering mobile-based advisory services to farmers. PxD operates similar digital extension programs across multiple developing countries and is a direct technical peer in farmer-facing digital services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ACReSALNigeria
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@acresalnigeria6561
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/acresalnigeria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes