Nigeria Secures $3m Investment in Climate-Smart Agriculture at COP31

Nigeria has secured a $3 million investment agreement for a climate-smart greenhouse farming project in Kano State at the ongoing 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Türkiye.

The agreement, witnessed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, involves the Bank of Agriculture, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme and Turkish company Direkci Group.

The memorandum of understanding provides for the deployment of approximately 1,000 climate-adapted greenhouses to support tomato production in Kano State.

Under the arrangement, the Bank of Agriculture will contribute $1.5 million to establish a structured financing mechanism for participating farmers, while Direkci Group will provide the remaining $1.5 million in private-sector financing.

The Turkish company will also supply greenhouse technology, engineering, installation and technical support for the project.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, Kyari described the agreement as a practical step towards modernising Nigeria’s agricultural sector and attracting private investment into food production.

He said the Federal Government was working to build an agricultural sector that is productive, commercially viable and capable of creating wealth, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive on food security.

The minister explained that the initiative would prioritise women and smallholder farmers by providing access to financing, productive assets, technical mentorship and market opportunities.

He added that the partners had agreed to conduct a joint performance review after nine months. Depending on the project’s performance and agreed acquisition milestones, the initiative could lead to a commercial expansion involving greenhouse systems and equipment valued at a minimum of $30 million.

Kyari, however, emphasised that the success of the agreement would depend on effective implementation, timely infrastructure delivery, transparent selection of beneficiaries and measurable results.

A representative of Direkci Group expressed confidence in Nigeria’s agricultural potential and said the company was prepared to extend its technology and expertise to other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Tenioye Majekodunmi, said Nigeria was using COP31 to attract partnerships capable of translating climate commitments into investments, economic opportunities and green jobs.

The agreement represents an effort to combine climate adaptation with agricultural financing and technology to strengthen food production and improve farmers’ access to modern farming systems.

Nigeria’s participation at COP31 also featured discussions on climate-related investments in the energy sector and the unveiling of an emissions-tracking platform for the oil and gas industry.