EU officials said the investments reflect a stronger alignment with Nigeria’s development priorities, particularly under the government’s Renewed Hope agenda, Newsdesk reports
The European Union has upgraded its partnership with Nigeria, announcing a fresh €290 million investment package under its Global Gateway strategy aimed at boosting digital infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and migration management.
The funding was unveiled on the sidelines of the Eighth Ministerial Dialogue held in Abuja, co chaired by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The new package will be deployed across seven projects, signalling a renewed push by both sides to deepen political and economic ties.
EU officials said the investments reflect a stronger alignment with Nigeria’s development priorities, particularly under the government’s Renewed Hope agenda. Kaja Kallas noted that in a shifting geopolitical landscape, strengthening cooperation with Nigeria has become a key priority for the bloc.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela said the initiative would support the modernisation of Nigeria’s digital economy, strengthen its healthcare system, and expand agricultural value chains, while also creating jobs and long term economic opportunities.
A significant portion of the package, €131 million, will be directed towards digitalisation. This includes plans to roll out 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable to expand internet access, improve connectivity, and lower costs for millions of Nigerians currently underserved. The programme will also support the development of secure digital public infrastructure and provide large scale training under Nigeria’s technical talent initiatives.
In the health sector, €55 million will be used to improve access to finance and skills for local production of medicines and vaccines. Through a partnership involving the European Investment Bank and Nigeria’s Bank of Industry, companies will be offered preferential loans to boost domestic manufacturing capacity. Training programmes will also be introduced to strengthen workforce expertise in the sector.
Agriculture will receive €86 million in support, focusing on the cocoa and dairy industries. The funding will help local businesses and smallholder farmers gain better access to finance, while promoting climate smart agricultural practices. The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to increase milk production and expand cocoa exports, with support from European partners.
The EU is also allocating €16 million to migration related programmes, aimed at supporting the reintegration of returning migrants and strengthening efforts to combat human trafficking. The funding will assist voluntary return initiatives and provide social, economic, and psychological support, while also enhancing cooperation with Nigerian security agencies to tackle trafficking networks.
These new commitments add to a broader package of EU investments in Nigeria, including projects in transport, renewable energy, democratic governance, and efforts to combat gender based violence. Overall, Team Europe support to Nigeria has now reached nearly €962.5 million since 2025.
The latest announcement underscores the EU’s growing strategic interest in Nigeria as a key partner in Africa, particularly in areas of economic development, security, and regional stability.
