The Edo State Government is stepping up efforts to attract foreign investment, technology and expertise into its livestock sector as it seeks to move production from traditional methods to a more commercial and technology-driven model.
The latest push took Edo officials to the 35th Sommet de l’Élevage in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where the state explored partnerships with livestock breeding experts, sustainable feed producers and manufacturers of modern processing equipment.
The Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Livestock Development, Roland Igbadumhe, said the state’s participation in the four-day summit, which began on October 6, 2026, was aimed at sourcing global technology, forging strategic partnerships and attracting foreign direct investment into Edo’s livestock industry.
Igbadumhe said the delegation held technical discussions with French experts on technologies that could be adapted to Edo to increase productivity, reduce environmental pressure and improve farmers’ profitability.
He said the state was also presenting ongoing livestock initiatives, including dedicated grazing reserves, farmer capacity-building programmes and public-private partnership opportunities in poultry, pig and ruminant production.
The international push follows a September 14, 2026 meeting between Edo officials and the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, in Abuja.
Led by Commissioner for Livestock Development Ohimai Ehijimetor, the delegation sought UAE investment in agriculture, livestock production, agro-processing and other areas of the state’s agricultural value chain.
The state presented opportunities in cattle, goat, poultry and fish production, while highlighting the potential for private capital, technology and expertise to support large-scale commercial agriculture.
The UAE engagement also focused on the forthcoming Edo International Agricultural and Livestock Investment Summit, scheduled for December in Abuja. The summit is expected to connect institutional investors, agribusinesses, technology providers, policymakers and other stakeholders with investment opportunities in Edo.
The UAE ambassador pledged the embassy’s support and committed to mobilising UAE-based investors and business groups to participate in the summit.
Edo’s push for foreign investment is being backed by public investment in livestock infrastructure.
On June 26, 2026, the Federal Government and Edo State broke ground for an ultramodern livestock processing facility at Ikpoba Slope, Benin City, under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project.
The Federal Government also highlighted a 40-million-dose solar-powered regional vaccine cold-storage facility and a model veterinary hospital in Edo as strategic infrastructure designed to strengthen animal health, disease prevention and livestock productivity.
The state’s 2026 approved budget also provides ₦400 million for the establishment of an artificial insemination centre for genetic upgrading, alongside funding for diagnostic centres in Benin and Irrua.
These investments point to a broader shift towards better genetics, animal health, processing and commercial production as Edo seeks to build a livestock industry capable of generating jobs, improving food security and attracting private capital.
For the state government, the challenge now is to turn international interest and public infrastructure into bankable projects that increase production, create value locally and deliver stronger returns across the livestock value chain.
