The government of the United Kingdom has said it is offering support totaling £60 million for agriculture, food systems and humanitarian activities in Nigeria.
British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, who announced this during his four-day visit to African countries said the expectation is that the package will help more than 4 million people develop better agricultural practices and combat the effects of climate change occasioned by carbon emissions.
Apart from Nigeria, Cleverly is also visiting Ghana and Zambia.
Statement of the U.K government
In a statement, the UK government said the foreign secretary will announce a £10 million facility in Lagos in partnership with finance firm InfraCredit to unlock funding for sustainable and climate-friendly infrastructure development projects, such as providing renewable energy services to homes in urban areas, as well as green housing.
“In Abuja, the foreign secretary will announce a Propcom+ contract worth £55 million – part of the United Kingdom’s £95 million Propcom+ international climate finance program agreed at COP27.
“It hopes to support rural farmers and help them scale up sustainable agricultural practices,” part of the statement read.
“Nigeria has a booming population and the largest economy in Africa – there is huge potential for an even closer partnership between UK and Nigerian businesses which will be of mutual benefit to both countries.
“Together we are focusing on the future, putting in place green, clean measures, both in agriculture and infrastructure development, to create climate-resilient solutions for the global challenges we all face today and will increasingly face in the years to come,” it added.
The statement further noted that the foreign secretary will also use the opportunity to meet President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to discuss issues revolving around trade, investment and security within Nigeria and in the region.
