Central Bank launches agricultural financing initiative
The Central Bank of Sudan has launched a new financing programme in Northern State to support agricultural production and expand access to solar energy amid efforts to revive the country's war-affected economy.
The initiative was inaugurated on October 15, 2026, at the Guest Palace Hall in Dongola, the capital of Northern State.
Dr. Youssef Osman Idris, Director of the Central Bank's Dongola branch, formally launched the financing portfolio in the presence of Northern State Governor Lieutenant General Abdelrahman Abdelhamid Ibrahim and members of the state government.
Representatives of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, financial institutions, the Central Bank's financial inclusion department and the Taysir microfinance guarantee agency also attended.
The programme has been allocated approximately SDG 15 billion and is expected to benefit around 10,000 participants.
Five commercial banks join financing portfolio
The initiative brings together five commercial banks under the coordination of the Central Bank of Sudan.
Participating institutions include Bank of Khartoum, Al-Tadamon Islamic Bank, the Agricultural Bank of Sudan, the Farmers Commercial Bank and Nile Bank.
Bank of Khartoum serves as the lead institution.
In a separate statement, Bank of Khartoum confirmed that it had committed SDG 10 billion to the portfolio, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the total announced financing.
The funds are intended to support micro, small and medium-sized productive activities, with a particular focus on agricultural enterprises and solar energy solutions.
Solar power and agricultural inputs prioritised
The new portfolio will provide financing for solar energy projects and agricultural production inputs across all localities of Northern State.
The use of solar energy in agriculture offers an opportunity to reduce reliance on conventional power sources, particularly for irrigation and other energy-intensive farming activities.
Officials expect the initiative to improve access to productive resources and help reduce operating costs for farmers.
Central Bank Dongola Branch Director Youssef Osman Idris said the launch demonstrated the banking sector's ability to mobilise financial resources for productive activities.
He also encouraged banks that had not yet joined the initiative to participate in future financing arrangements.
Northern State targets 1.2 million feddans of winter crops
The initiative comes as Northern State prepares for its winter agricultural season.
Officials have announced plans to cultivate approximately 1.2 million feddans, including 320,000 feddans allocated to wheat production.
The financing mechanism is intended to support those production targets by improving access to essential farming inputs and energy solutions.
The programme has also been linked to national food security objectives, particularly as the war that began in April 2023 has disrupted agricultural production in several parts of Sudan.
Strengthening output in regions where farming activities can continue has become an important component of the country's economic recovery efforts.
Governor welcomes signs of banking sector recovery
Northern State Governor Abdelrahman Abdelhamid Ibrahim described the launch as a positive indication of economic and banking sector recovery.
He praised Bank of Khartoum and the other participating institutions for supporting productive sectors.
The governor characterised national economic recovery as part of what Sudanese authorities describe as the country's “Battle of Dignity”.
He called for financing to be directed towards agricultural inputs and small-scale farmers as the winter planting season begins.
The governor also stressed the importance of increasing domestic food production and reducing the country's dependence on imports.
Financial inclusion and rural development
Dr. Mousa Al-Fadil Makki, representing the Central Bank's General Directorate of Financial Inclusion, said the initiative formed part of the bank's broader strategy to expand development financing.
The programme is being implemented under the State Financing Portfolios Initiative, supported by Central Bank Governor Amna Mirghani Hassan Al-Tom.
Its objectives include lowering production costs, improving agricultural value chains, strengthening food security and encouraging local development.
Representatives of the Taysir microfinance guarantee agency and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development also emphasised the role of financial partnerships in supporting producers and improving agricultural productivity.
The Central Bank indicated that similar financing portfolios would continue to be introduced in other states according to their production priorities.
River Nile State scheduled for SDG 35 billion programme
A similar programme is scheduled to be introduced in River Nile State on October 17, 2026.
The second financing portfolio is expected to total approximately SDG 35 billion, involve seven banks and target around 20,000 beneficiaries.
Bank of Khartoum has indicated that it plans to contribute SDG 30 billion to the River Nile State initiative.
Together, the two announced portfolios represent approximately SDG 50 billion in planned financing, with a combined target of 30,000 beneficiaries.
The River Nile State programme was still a scheduled launch at the time of the announcements, rather than a completed financing operation.
The Central Bank of Sudan says it intends to continue using joint financing mechanisms with commercial banks to support agricultural production, reconstruction projects and sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by the conflict.