In a landmark move aimed at transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector and promoting sustainable economic growth, the Federal Government, in collaboration with Germany and the European Union (EU), has unveiled the €18.3 million EU-VACE TARED (Agriculture Value Chain Facility – Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development) project. This four-year initiative, running from October 2024 to September 2028, seeks to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s agriculture, including climate resilience, value chain development, and job creation.
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, described the project as a key component of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Team Europe initiative, which aims to boost sustainable development and economic resilience across partner countries. “Nigeria’s agricultural sector is rich with potential, and yet we know that it faces persistent challenges like weak access to funds, climate-related risk, and infrastructure deficit, among others. However, perhaps the most urgent challenge is generational, meaning how can we make agriculture attractive, viable, and promising for young Nigerians?” Mignot said.
He emphasized the project’s inclusive and forward-looking approach, stating, “Our goal is clear. It is to foster inclusive, climate-smart, and commercially viable agriculture that creates decent jobs, especially for youth and women, while helping to build the next generation of what I would call agripreneurs.” He also highlighted the EU’s broader investment in Nigeria, confirming over €87 million is being channelled through various agriculture and climate-resilient programmes, with a Team Europe pipeline of nearly €1.5 billion in green economy initiatives.
Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Johannes Lehne, reaffirmed Germany and the EU’s commitment to Nigeria’s development, describing the project as a strategic investment in the country’s agricultural future. “This initiative is a testament to our long-standing cooperation with Nigeria. It’s about more than funding—it’s about supporting sustainable development and transforming agri-food systems to create jobs, promote climate-smart farming, and empower local communities,” Lehne stated.
Project Overview and Strategic Focus
The EU-VACE TARED project will target four key agricultural value chains: cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger. These sectors have been identified as pivotal to Nigeria’s agricultural economy and hold significant potential for growth and development. By focusing on these value chains, the project aims to enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote value addition at various stages of the agricultural process.
Implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the project will be executed in seven states: Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau. These states were selected based on their agricultural potential and the presence of key value chains.
Key Objectives
The project seeks to enhance agricultural productivity through climate-smart practices, strengthen value chains from production to marketing, foster employment for women and youth, and improve food security by stabilizing production and distribution systems. Capacity building, access to finance, infrastructure development, and policy support form the backbone of the implementation strategy.
Expected Outcomes
The initiative is expected to deliver increased agricultural yields, improved value chain integration, thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, and enhanced food security. By supporting agripreneurs and MSMEs, the project aims to ensure that Nigeria’s agricultural sector remains competitive, sustainable, and attractive to younger generations.
