Nigeria, Brazil Forge Strategic Partnership to Transform Agriculture
By Matthew Eloyi
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) of Brazil, has taken a significant step to revolutionise the nation’s agricultural sector. This new initiative, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to boost private sector investment in fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural financing.
Signed by Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), and Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, President of FGV, the MoU was sealed at the FGV Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The ceremony coincided with the G20 Leaders’ Summit, emphasising the global relevance of the partnership.
The agreement underscores a renewed phase of collaboration under the Green Imperative Project (GIP), a $1.2 billion agricultural modernization initiative launched in 2018 between Brazil and Nigeria. Supported by Deutsche Bank, GIP seeks to leverage Brazil’s expertise in tropical agriculture to propel Nigeria’s agricultural sector into the future.
Over the next decade, the GIP will focus on delivering transformative agricultural technologies and fostering knowledge transfer. A critical component of this partnership is identifying and supporting agribusinesses in all 774 local government areas across Nigeria over the next five years. This targeted support will include technical assistance and financial resources aimed at fostering sustainable development and driving economic growth.
Mr. Fashedemi highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership paves the way for Brazil to engage with Nigeria’s dynamic and rapidly growing agricultural sector. Together with FGV, we are poised to unlock the potential of private sector investment in key areas critical to our food security.”
Notably, the MoU projects a potential $4.3 billion in private-sector investment into Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with a strong focus on fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural financing.
The high-level ceremony was attended by senior members of Nigeria’s presidency, officials from FMAFS, and FGV leadership, signaling the commitment of both nations to this transformative partnership.
