Nigeria, Brazil launch $1.1bn Green Imperative Project to improve agriculture

By Kunle Sanni

Six years after its initial agreement, the Nigeria-Brazil $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP) has officially commenced, marking a significant step toward enhancing food security and boosting agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

The commercial phase of the project was signed on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with Vice President Kashim Shettima affirming that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to food security and economic diversification.

The Green Imperative Project, the largest agricultural initiative in Africa, aims to modernize Nigeria’s agricultural sector through sustainable, low-carbon farming. The project will facilitate the importation of agricultural equipment, including tractors and spare parts, while also supporting local assembly to create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign imports.

Speaking at the event, Vice President Shettima emphasized the project’s role in driving economic growth and attracting private-sector investment.

“As this administration addresses the food security challenges we face, it is imperative to leverage strategic opportunities like the Green Imperative Project to boost investor confidence and support small-scale farmers,” Shettima stated.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with low agricultural productivity, adding that the project will connect farmers to various value chains, improving efficiency and profitability.

Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the initiative, highlighting that negotiations had spanned seven years before reaching this commercial phase.

“This initiative will enable the importation and local assembly of agricultural equipment in Nigeria, ensuring that maintenance and repairs can be carried out by trained local personnel,” Garcete said.