The National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Pakistan has concluded a specialized Training of Trainers (TOT) program for agri bankers, held from 02 to 04 February 2026 at its Islamabad Campus. The three-day, face-to-face initiative was designed to enhance the professional capacity of banking professionals working in the agricultural and rural finance sector, with a strong focus on effective training delivery and practical facilitation skills aligned with the evolving needs of Pakistan’s financial ecosystem.
The program brought together agri bankers from various institutions, reflecting the growing importance of structured learning and knowledge transfer within the country’s agricultural finance landscape. As agriculture continues to play a central role in Pakistan’s economy, strengthening the human capital that supports agri-finance operations has become increasingly critical. NIBAF’s initiative aimed to address this need by preparing participants not just as practitioners, but as future trainers capable of cascading knowledge within their respective organizations.
The Training of Trainers program was led by Mr. Sohail Rizvi, a seasoned trainer known for his expertise in facilitation, adult learning methodologies, and sector-focused capacity building. Under his guidance, participants were exposed to modern training approaches that go beyond traditional classroom instruction. The sessions emphasized interactive learning, experiential techniques, and the application of real-world scenarios relevant to agricultural and rural banking.
Throughout the program, participants explored adult learning principles tailored to professional environments, recognizing that effective training for bankers requires an understanding of how adults absorb, retain, and apply knowledge. The curriculum focused on practical tools that trainers can use to design and deliver impactful sessions, particularly for agri-finance professionals who operate in diverse and often challenging field conditions. This approach aligned well with the broader shift in Pakistan’s banking sector toward continuous learning and performance-based skill development.
In addition to facilitation techniques, the TOT program strengthened participants’ sector-specific understanding of agricultural finance. Discussions and activities were framed around the realities of rural banking, financing for small farmers, risk management in agriculture, and the role of banks in supporting sustainable agricultural growth. By combining training skills with domain knowledge, the program aimed to ensure that future training initiatives within banks remain both technically sound and contextually relevant.
The face-to-face format of the training allowed for deeper engagement, peer learning, and hands-on practice, which are often difficult to replicate in virtual settings. Participants had the opportunity to practice facilitation techniques, receive feedback, and refine their delivery styles in a collaborative environment. This interactive setting also encouraged the exchange of experiences among agri bankers, fostering a shared understanding of sector challenges and best practices.
NIBAF’s focus on Training of Trainers reflects a strategic approach to capacity building within Pakistan’s banking and finance sector. By developing in-house trainers, financial institutions can scale knowledge more efficiently, maintain consistency in learning standards, and respond more effectively to changes in policy, technology, and market demands. For agri banking, where products, regulations, and customer needs are continually evolving, such initiatives are particularly significant.
The completion of this TOT program underscores NIBAF Pakistan’s ongoing role in supporting professional development and institutional strengthening across the banking sector. As digital finance tools, modern banking practices, and data-driven decision-making increasingly intersect with traditional agri-finance models, well-trained professionals will remain essential to bridging the gap between innovation and on-ground impact. Through programs like this, NIBAF continues to contribute to a more resilient, skilled, and future-ready agri banking workforce in Pakistan.
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