The European Union and German Development Cooperation have committed €18.3 million to a new initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s rural economy through climate-smart, inclusive agricultural value chains. The four-year project, Agriculture Value Chain Facility–Transformative Agriculture Systems for Rural Economic Development (EU-VACE TARED), will run from October 2024 to September 2028. It was launched in Jos, Plateau State, by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the EU, with implementation by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH).
According to Andrea Ruediger, Cluster Coordinator for Rural Development Agriculture at GIZ, the project will operate in Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Oyo, Ondo, and Plateau, promoting sustainable food systems, job creation, and gender equity. “EU-VACE TARED strengthens value chains in cocoa, tomatoes, ginger and dairy by improving productivity, enhancing competitiveness and promoting environmentally responsible practices. The programme targets 25,000 farmers, with a strong focus on women and youth, aiming to generate 10,000 green jobs while mobilising over €2 million for agribusinesses,” said Ruediger.
The initiative integrates technical support, policy guidance and financial empowerment to foster climate adaptation and empower rural communities. The Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Karin Jansen in Abuja, described the project as a milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. “Germany and Nigeria are transforming the agriculture sector together because our partnership delivers mutual benefit. A resilient, food-secure and economically viable Nigeria is a cornerstone of stability in West Africa. This cooperation aligns closely with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the EU-Global Gateway, strengthening trade, investment and value-chain partnerships,” said Jansen.
Massimo De Luca, head of cooperation for the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the project’s focus on high-potential value chains such as dairy and cocoa.“We are being bold, focusing on sectors that sit between economic opportunity and development challenges. Dairy and cocoa have immense potential but also significant hurdles. EU-VACE TARED will support sustainable dairy hubs, enhance cooperatives, and build local processing capacity,” said de Luca.
Representing the Plateau State governor, Sunday Akpa, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Veterinary Services and Fisheries, welcomed the project, noting it would revive the state’s dairy sector and contribute to self-sufficiency. EU-VACE TARED addresses longstanding challenges in Nigerian agriculture including low investment, weak processing capacity and limited value addition, while also responding to environmental threats such as deforestation, desertification and climate change pressures that have constrained rural productivity.
