The National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture has entered into a strategic partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to enhance regional integration, expand prospects for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthen agricultural trade across borders. The collaboration was unveiled under the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme during an event themed “Strengthening ECOWAS Agricultural Market to Drive Food Security and Regional Prosperity.”
NACCIMA President Jani Ibrahim underscored the central importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy, pointing out that the sector accounted for about 24.64 percent of GDP in Q4 2024, with early 2025 projections estimating it at approximately 27.8 percent after GDP rebasing. Although agriculture plays a vital role in supporting millions of livelihoods, Ibrahim noted that Nigeria’s agricultural export volumes remain relatively low. He said the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Project, along with NACCIMA’s engagement, is designed to close this gap by empowering traders and SMEs within the agribusiness value chain to comply with regional market standards.
The initiative supports NACCIMA’s mission to strengthen the private sector, advocate for conducive policies and improve export readiness. The association explained that the project seeks to resolve persistent obstacles that limit trade flows, while equipping businesses with the knowledge and structures needed to take advantage of cross-border opportunities.
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NACCIMA Director-General Sola Obadimu reaffirmed the sector’s economic relevance, emphasising that agriculture sustains millions, contributes around a quarter of Nigeria’s GDP, yet remains underutilised as a source of export revenue. He highlighted the immense, largely untapped potential within the ECOWAS bloc—home to more than 400 million people—as a major avenue for Nigeria’s agribusinesses to broaden their reach and deepen regional trade.
For MSMEs, the partnership presents opportunities to scale their activities, access wider regional markets, and meet the standards required for effective cross-border trade, thereby enhancing revenue growth, job creation and overall participation in West Africa’s agricultural economy.
