The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to present its one-million-hectare tree crops expansion programme to European cocoa industry leaders and investors in Brussels. This initiative aims to attract investment and strengthen market access for Nigeria's cocoa sector. The programme will be showcased at the Nigeria/West Africa Cocoa Origins-EU Industry Match-Making Forum, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the Nigeria-Belgium-Luxembourg Business Forum.
According to Kingsley Uzoma, senior special assistant to the President on Agribusiness, Nigeria's expansion plan is backed by traceability systems and measures to prevent deforestation. The programme will ensure new tree crop plantations are planned, mapped and fully traceable from the first seedling. This move reinforces Nigeria's position as a responsible cocoa-producing country, addressing European buyers' concerns about plantation locations, traceability and forest protection.
The expansion programme will build on Nigeria's existing cocoa sector, which comprises over 350,000 cocoa-farming families cultivating more than 1.4 million hectares. The initiative promotes deforestation-free cultivation and complete traceability, meeting the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). European investors will be invited to participate through long-term offtake agreements, co-investment in processing and regional partnerships.
The Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement Project Management Office (AgPE PMO) will coordinate Nigeria's participation in the forum, engaging relevant federal ministries, departments and agencies, as well as cocoa-producing states. The parties have agreed on terms of reference for sustained collaboration covering policy engagement, mobilisation of grants and development resources, and the commercialisation of cocoa and other agricultural value chains.
Roland Oroh, founder and director of Agribusiness Register Ltd and Project Director of the EU-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform (EUNAP), noted that European industry players seek reliable supply, consistent quality and verifiable evidence of sustainable production. The participation of the Senior Special Assistant to the President in the forum's plenary session signals high-level government commitment to the initiative.
The Nigeria/West Africa Cocoa Origins-EU Industry Match-Making Forum will bring together European cocoa grinders, chocolate manufacturers and traders with vetted exporters, processors and cooperative federations from Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. This platform will facilitate partnerships and investments in the cocoa sector, enhancing Nigeria's cocoa production and export capabilities.
The cocoa expansion programme is a strategic move by Nigeria to leverage EU investment and expertise, ensuring the country's cocoa sector meets international standards and regulations. With a structured expansion plan and commitment to sustainable production, Nigeria aims to strengthen its position in the global cocoa market and attract significant investment from European industry players.
Key points
- Nigeria to present cocoa expansion plan to European investors in Brussels
- Programme aims to attract investment and strengthen market access for Nigeria's cocoa sector
- Expansion plan backed by traceability systems and measures to prevent deforestation
