Nigeria and Brazil have formally entered the implementation phase of their bilateral agriculture and livestock partnership, marking a significant step towards expanding trade, boosting agricultural exports and strengthening private-sector collaboration between Africa’s largest economy and Latin America’s biggest agricultural producer.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the development on Monday during the High-Level Nigeria-Brazil Agro-Trade Market Access Milestone meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing the initiative as a transition from policy commitments to measurable commercial outcomes.
“We have moved with deliberate steps from dialogue to delivery, from agreements to implementation, and from shared ambition to outcomes that can be counted, weighed and shipped,” Shettima said while receiving a Brazilian delegation led by the country’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André Carlos Alves de Paula Filho.
The announcement represents a breakthrough for Nigeria’s non-oil export strategy as Brazil agreed to open its market to Nigerian hibiscus (commonly known as zobo), sesame seeds and shea butter. According to the Brazilian minister, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is completing the phytosanitary certification process required to facilitate imports of the products.
Once the certification is finalised, Brazilian authorities will also connect Nigerian exporters with potential buyers, creating new commercial channels and improving access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
The development is expected to benefit farmers, agricultural cooperatives, processors and exporters while supporting Nigeria’s efforts to diversify export earnings beyond crude oil.
Shettima said the Joint Agriculture and Livestock Technical Working Group established under the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) is now fully operational. Its specialised sub-groups are working on dairy and livestock genetics, soybean productivity, agricultural policy, and agro-climatic risk zoning to improve productivity and strengthen food security.
He also commended Brazil for appointing an Agricultural Attaché to its embassy in Abuja and expanding the involvement of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), saying the increased technical engagement has accelerated cooperation and transformed policy discussions into practical programmes.
The Vice President noted that the partnership gained momentum following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil, where both countries agreed that bilateral agricultural trade remained significantly below its potential despite their vast natural resources and complementary economies.
Current trade between Nigeria and Brazil is valued at approximately $2.1 billion annually, with Nigeria recording a trade surplus of about $278 million. Both countries have also signed a $1 billion agricultural cooperation agreement to support mechanised farming and technology transfer, alongside a $2.5 billion livestock development initiative aimed at establishing a modern ranch and improving livestock genetics in Niger State.
Looking ahead, Shettima urged state governments, export promotion agencies and industry stakeholders to prepare farmers and exporters to meet international quality, sanitary and phytosanitary standards required to compete in global markets.
Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi welcomed the partnership, noting that the state remains one of Nigeria’s leading producers of export crops. He pledged the state’s support in helping local farmers and agribusinesses take advantage of the expanded access to the Brazilian market.
If effectively implemented, the partnership could strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chains, increase non-oil export earnings, attract fresh investment into agro-processing and reinforce broader economic diversification efforts.
