The European Union(EU), and development finance institutions will provide Nigeria with €1.3 billion or $1.4 billion in funds aimed at reducing its dependence on oil.
The funds for agriculture, climate and digital projects will help Africa’s largest oil producer, “achieve low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient development, creating jobs for youth and economic growth.”
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS), Samuela Isopi said at the 8th EU-Nigeria Business conference in Lagos at the weekend.
Nigeria is encouraging investments in agriculture and technology-based infrastructure to reduce its dependence on oil and accelerate growth.
While crude contributes about 7 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, it accounts for nearly all foreign exchange earnings and more than half of government revenue.
This funding will support 60 projects through 2027, Isopi said in an interview.
They include; a fish farm in the Southwestern State of Ogun and a waste-to-energy initiative in the Southern state of Cross River, according to an emailed document from the EU.
