EU, Germany, and Nigeria Cultivate €18.3m Path to Prosperity through Agriculture .
By Raymond Enoch.
A significant milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural development has unfolded as the German Embassy, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the European Union, launched the €18.3 million EU-VACE TARED Project in Abuja. The initiative, aimed at revitalizing key agricultural value chains, is expected to boost food security, create sustainable jobs, and confront some of the root causes of irregular migration.
Funded by the European Union and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the EU-VACE TARED Project reflects a deepening partnership between Europe and Nigeria. The project will focus on four critical agricultural sectors—cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger—leveraging their economic potential while tackling the systemic challenges faced by rural communities.
At the high-profile launch event, Mr. Johannes Lehne, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Abuja, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, linking agriculture to prosperity across continents. “When agriculture flourishes, Nigeria prospers – and when Nigeria thrives, Europe and Africa benefit together,” Lehne said, underscoring the shared benefits of long-term investment in rural development.
The project is designed to strengthen value chains through improved processing, infrastructure, and access to markets, particularly for smallholder farmers. It also integrates climate-smart agriculture techniques to build resilience against climate change, while placing a strong emphasis on empowering women and youth with training, funding opportunities, and entrepreneurial support.
While Nigeria’s agricultural sector remains the largest employer of labor, its potential has often been stifled by outdated practices, limited financing, and post-harvest losses. Stakeholders at the launch expressed optimism that this initiative will not only address those challenges but also create alternative livelihoods, reducing the pressure that drives irregular migration from rural communities to urban centers or across borders.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security welcomed the project as a strategic intervention that aligns with Nigeria’s national development objectives. They expressed confidence that the EU-VACE TARED Project would open new pathways for inclusive growth and private sector participation in agriculture.
The event drew participation from high-ranking representatives of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, German development agency GIZ, state-level agricultural authorities, and civil society partners. Together, they pledged to ensure that the project delivers tangible results and measurable impact at the grassroots level.
With implementation set to begin in selected states, expectations are high that the €18.3 million investment will plant the seeds of a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future—one that connects Nigerian farmers to opportunity, markets, and hope, while strengthening the bonds of cooperation between Africa and Europe.
