EU Invests $2.5M in Tomato Jos for Processing Expansion

The European Union, through its Agriculture Financing Initiative (AgriFI), has committed a $2.5 million investment to Tomato Jos Inc., a tomato farming and processing company based in northern Nigeria. This investment, facilitated by EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) via a convertible note under the AgriFI ACP Regional Window, will finance packaging equipment, factory upgrades, and expanded drip irrigation.

The initiative aims to reduce energy and production costs while enhancing local processing and climate-smart production. Tomato Jos sources over half of its raw materials from smallholder farmers in Kaduna State.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasized the investment's role in creating resilient agricultural value chains and opportunities for farmers, particularly women. The company plans to increase its annual fresh-tomato production from over 4,500 tonnes to about 16,000 tonnes by 2029 and expand its engagement with smallholder farmers from 500 to 1,500.

CEO Mira Mehta stated that the financing will help build a more resilient tomato value chain in northern Nigeria.