By Ebi Kesiena
Amidst seven years of negotiation, Nigeria and Brazil have signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP) to enhance agricultural productivity and attract private sector investment in Nigeria.
The GIP, Africa’s largest agricultural initiative, aims to develop sustainable, low-carbon farming and strengthen the country’s food production capacity.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted the project as a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda. He emphasised that the GIP would link small-scale farmers to the agricultural value chain and drive economic growth.
Shettima said that the GIP would leverage strategic opportunities to drive the nation’s economic growth and boost investors’ confidence.
“As this administration addresses the food security challenges, it is also delivering the 8-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“It is imperative for us to synergise and use existing initiatives such as the GIP for the purposes of policy continuity, utilising or leveraging strategic opportunities to drive our economic growth.
“This is with a view to enhancing investors’ confidence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, noted that the project had been under negotiation for seven years and would enable the importation and local assembly of agricultural equipment.
Nigerian personnel will also be trained to maintain the machinery.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar described the agreement as a prime example of South-South cooperation, leveraging Brazil’s expertise in transforming agricultural landscapes.
