Nigeria and Brazil have officially launched the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP) to enhance agricultural productivity and attract private sector investment.
Meanwhile, Nigeria and Cuba are renewing their diplomatic and economic partnership, focusing on healthcare, trade, and education.
The Presidency stated that the agreement with Brazil is a strategic move toward ensuring food security. This initiative coincides with the 50th anniversary of Nigeria-Cuba diplomatic relations, which began in 1974.
Vice President Kashim Shettima hailed Cuba as a “sacred land for progressives” and emphasized the GIP’s role as Africa’s largest agricultural project, designed to promote sustainable, low-carbon farming. The project aims to create structural conditions for efficient and competitive food production in Nigeria.
The MoU for the GIP’s first phase was signed in 2018, followed by the $4.3 billion second phase and a $2.5 billion JBS agreement in Brazil during President Bola Tinubu’s visit last year. Shettima described the project’s commercial phase as part of the administration’s broader effort to tackle food insecurity, boost economic growth, and strengthen investor confidence.
“As we address food security challenges and implement President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, initiatives like the GIP will ensure policy continuity and unlock strategic opportunities for economic growth,” Shettima said. He also highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with low agricultural productivity, stressing that while Nigerians are inherently entrepreneurial, they need the necessary support to thrive.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, expressed his country’s commitment to the GIP, noting that negotiations with Nigeria over the past seven years secured funding from private and regional development banks. The project will facilitate the importation of agricultural equipment, including tractors and spare parts, while also establishing local assembly plants and training Nigerian personnel for maintenance and repairs.
During a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Cuban Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to its partnership with Cuba. He acknowledged Cuba’s historical role in supporting Africa’s liberation movements, particularly during the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
“Cuba’s heart beats in Africa. About 70% of Cuban Africans trace their ancestry to Nigeria. For us, Cuba is a land of shared heritage and progressive values,” Shettima stated.
He assured the Cuban delegation of Nigeria’s dedication to strengthening collaborations, particularly in healthcare and vaccine development. “Our hearts and souls are with you. No matter how long the night is, dawn will break. We will support you in any way possible, especially in advancing healthcare and vaccination programs,” he added.
Foreign Minister Parrilla highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Nigeria and Cuba, marked by the milestone 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
