Across Nigeria’s agricultural and manufacturing landscape, a quiet but significant transformation is taking place—driven by collaboration, capacity building, and the growing integration of digital tools. Through the RISA-KECC project and the CONESAM ecosystem, research institutions and private sector actors are increasingly aligning their efforts to accelerate agricultural mechanization and distributed manufacturing. One major milestone in this journey was the recent RISA-KECC–facilitated training for staff of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin. The session focused on equipping personnel from different units with skills to effectively use a newly developed web platform. Designed to support the sale of machinery produced by the institute and to market its range of services, the platform represents a strategic step toward ensuring NCAM remains competitive and relevant in a fast-evolving digital economy. As a key partner within the CONESAM network, NCAM’s digital progress signals shared growth and reinforces the value of collaboration between research institutions and industry-focused coalitions. Building on this momentum, the RISA-KECC project hosted a two-day capacity-building workshop on July 19th and 20th, 2024, aimed at strengthening private sector engagement among research institutions. The workshop brought together participants from CONESAM’s ecosystem across Kano, Lagos, Ekiti, Benue, Ogun, and other states, highlighting the nationwide commitment to bridging the gap between research and enterprise. Core themes included Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), gender inclusion, and the introduction of a Digital Affiliate Program designed to promote agricultural innovations beyond institutional boundaries. These discussions underscored the importance of market-oriented thinking in translating research outputs into scalable economic value. The practical outcomes of the workshop were evident by the second day, when research organizations presented refined value propositions using a business canvas model developed during collaborative breakout sessions. Institutions such as the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), NCAM, and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) showcased innovations at various stages of development. These ideas are now positioned for viable public-private partnerships, opening pathways for commercialization, investment, and broader impact. Together, these interconnected activities reflect a growing ecosystem where digital readiness, institutional capacity, and private sector collaboration converge. Supported by partners including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Adam Smith International, Chemonics, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the RISA-KECC initiative is helping to lay a strong foundation for distributed manufacturing in Nigeria. By aligning research innovation with market realities, CONESAM and its partners are advancing a future where agricultural mechanization is not only innovative but also inclusive, sustainable, and economically transformative.