In a landmark move to revolutionize agriculture, Nigeria and Brazil have officially entered the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP) a groundbreaking initiative poised to redefine agricultural productivity and attract private-sector investments in Nigeria.
The GIP stands as Africa’s most ambitious agricultural project, focusing on the development of sustainable, low-carbon farming systems to ensure long-term food security.
Designed to establish a solid structural foundation for efficient and competitive food production, the initiative is a major leap toward transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
The journey of the GIP began in 2018 with the signing of the initial $1.1 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This milestone has since paved the way for an even grander vision, as seen in the $4.3 billion Phase 2 and the $2.5 billion JBS agreement both signed in Brazil during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit in 2024.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa, on the 17th of March, 2025, in Abuja during the signing ceremony, Vice-President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed that the GIP is a strategic part of President Tinubu’s mission to ensure food security in Nigeria.
He highlighted the project’s role in advancing the administration’s 8-point agenda, emphasizing its potential to fuel economic growth and enhance investor confidence.
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“As this administration tackles food security challenges, it is also implementing President Bola Tinubu’s 8-point agenda,” Shettima stated. “It is crucial to integrate initiatives like the GIP to ensure policy continuity while leveraging strategic opportunities for economic expansion. This will, in turn, strengthen investor confidence.”
More than just an agricultural boost, the GIP aims to connect small-scale farmers with the full spectrum of Nigeria’s agricultural value chains, ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Echoing these sentiments, Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, expressed his nation’s pride in collaborating on the project.
He revealed that the initiative would facilitate the importation of vital agricultural machinery including tractors and spare parts while ensuring local assembly and job creation for Nigerian workers.
“For seven years, Brazil has been working closely with the Nigerian government to secure the necessary funds from private and regional development banks to bring this ambitious $1.1 billion project to life,” Garcete stated.
With the official launch of its commercial phase, the Green Imperative Project signals a new dawn for Nigeria’s agricultural sector one defined by sustainability, modernization, and global investment appeal.