Nigeria-Brazil $1.1bn green imperative project kicks off

As part of measures to ensure food security in the country, Nigeria and Brazil have signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP) to boost agriculture productivity and enhance private-sector investment in Nigeria.

GIP, the largest agricultural project in Africa which priotises the development of sustainable, low-carbon agriculture, aims to develop structural conditions to boost food production in Nigeria in an efficient and competitive manner.

The MoU for the $1.1 billion GIP 1 was signed in 2018, while the $4.3 billion phase 2 of the project and the $2.5 billion JBS were signed in Brazil during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to that country last year.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the signing of the commercial phase of the GIP 1 as part of ongoing efforts by the administration of President Tinubu to enhance food security in the country.

According to a stament by the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, Office of The Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, speaking during the signing of the commercial phase of the GIP 1 at Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima said the GIP will leverage on strategic opportunities to drive the nation’s economic growth and boost investor confidence.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete said the project will allow for the importation of agricultural equipment such as tractors, spare parts and assembling of machines will be done in Nigeria with the Nigerian labour, stressing that “in the event of breakdown of any tractor, it will be possible to carry out any repairs within the country by personnel who will be trained by GIP.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, who also witnessed the signing of the agreement, said the exercise is a good example of the South-South Cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil.

FRCN