The National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has partnered with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to strengthen regional integration, expand cross-border agricultural trade, and open new opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across West Africa.
Speaking at the launch of NACCIMA’s activities under the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme, themed “Strengthening ECOWAS Agricultural Market to Drive Food Security and Regional Prosperity,” NACCIMA President Jani Ibrahim emphasized agriculture’s vital role in Nigeria’s economy. He noted that the sector contributed 24.64% to GDP in Q4 2024, with early 2025 estimates placing its share at about 27.8%.
Despite this strong contribution, Ibrahim highlighted that Nigeria’s agricultural exports remain comparatively low. He stressed that the EAT Project positions NACCIMA to help address long-standing barriers through capacity building and support for SMEs within the agribusiness value chain, enabling them to meet regional market requirements.
“Unlocking regional agricultural trade means unlocking livelihoods, deepening integration, and strengthening food security across West Africa,” he said. He added that while opportunities are significant—driven by Nigeria’s large population, rising demand, and ECOWAS’s vast market—challenges such as infrastructure gaps, limited finance, and non-tariff barriers persist.
NACCIMA’s Director General, Sola Obadimu, also described agriculture as a major economic pillar, yet one whose export potential remains underutilized despite ECOWAS’s 400 million-strong consumer market. He said the EAT Project provides timely support to improve standards, reduce trade barriers, and help SMEs participate more competitively in regional value chains.
Under the project, NACCIMA will lead activities focused on capacity building and improving access to market information to better position Nigerian agribusinesses for growth.
GIZ-EAT Programme Lead, Arne Schuffenhauver, explained that the initiative—funded by the German government and implemented with the ECOWAS Commission—targets enhanced food trade across five West African countries. He noted that NACCIMA’s strong support services for traders make it a strategic partner in helping SMEs navigate market access, customs procedures and food inspections.
Schuffenhauver revealed that cross-border food trade in West Africa is a $10 billion industry with substantial untapped potential. He said the project is helping to demonstrate viable business cases—ranging from cold storage solutions to simple logistics like tricycle transport—to encourage policymakers and financiers to invest in small-scale cross-border trade.
For Nancy Okpa, Principal Trade Promotion Officer at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the launch marks a significant step in regional cooperation. She said the collaboration creates a structured platform for producers, processors, exporters and policymakers to strengthen agricultural value chains and expand opportunities for inclusive economic growth.
Okpa commended NACCIMA and GIZ for their commitment to empowering agribusinesses, noting that the initiative comes at a critical time when strategic partnerships are essential to unlock West Africa’s agricultural potential.
