Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The European Union-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform (EUNAP) has inaugurated a Technical Steering Committee (TSC) to drive agribusiness trade and investment between Nigeria and EU member states.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Roland Oroh, CEO of Agribusiness Register Ltd, highlighted the platform’s goal of generating an estimated €575 million in additional trade value for Nigeria’s agribusiness sector. He stressed the importance of collaboration between government agencies, private-sector players, and development partners to achieve this objective.
EUNAP, funded by the European Union and managed by Agribusiness Register Ltd, serves as a digital hub for agribusiness stakeholders. It facilitates trade and investment while providing essential services such as trade intelligence, compliance guidance, matchmaking services, training, and policy engagement. A key focus of the platform is the integration of women- and youth-led agribusinesses, ensuring inclusive economic growth.
The newly formed TSC is responsible for defining the platform’s strategic direction, aligning its priorities with national and regional trade objectives, and recommending sustainable funding mechanisms beyond the EU grant. The committee comprises representatives from:
- The European Union Delegation (EUD)
- Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, and Budget & Economic Planning
- Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA)
- European Business Chamber Nigeria (EUROCHAM)
- Agribusiness Register Ltd
- Youth Sounding Board
Frank Okafor, representing the European Union delegation, described EUNAP as a pivotal investment in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector. He emphasized that the initiative, first introduced at the EU-Nigeria Business Forum, has gained significant traction and is now positioned as a key component of broader EU-Africa trade expansion efforts.
Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to agribusiness development in Nigeria through public-private partnerships. She underscored the platform’s potential to enhance value chains, promote digitalization, and attract foreign investment into Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Michael Adebiyi, Director of Agribusiness and Market Development at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, reiterated the government’s commitment to agribusiness as a driver of food security and economic growth. He emphasized that the sector has the capacity to create jobs, increase productivity, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global agribusiness market.
With its digital-first approach and strong institutional backing, EUNAP is poised to play a transformative role in expanding agribusiness trade between Nigeria and the EU, fostering economic diversification, and ensuring long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
