Nigeria Seeks European Investment for Tree Crops Expansion

The federal government of Nigeria is actively seeking European investment for its planned one-million-hectare tree crops expansion program, particularly in cocoa cultivation. This initiative was presented to cocoa industry leaders, manufacturers, and investors at the Nigeria/West Africa Cocoa Origins–EU Industry Match-Making Forum in Brussels, Belgium.

The announcement was made in a joint statement from the Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement Project Management Office (AgPE PMO) and the EU–Nigeria Agribusiness Platform (EUNAP). This marks the first formal presentation of the program to a European audience, with cocoa expected to play a significant role in the expansion.

The forum is organized under an EU Global Gateway grant, supported by the European Cocoa Association, which represents about 95 percent of Europe’s cocoa grinding capacity. The Nigerian delegation will address concerns regarding cultivation areas, farm traceability, and measures to prevent deforestation.

The initiative aims to create opportunities for European investors through long-term agreements and partnerships, while ensuring a deforestation-free and traceable agricultural framework.