GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS

📈💰Inclusive Business Upscaling in Nigeria: Stakeholders’ Roundtable The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), in collaboration with the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria Programme (SEDIN) and the Investment Climate Reform Facility (ICR), recently held a Stakeholders’ Roundtable focused on “Inclusive Business Upscaling in Nigeria.” 💡 Inclusive businesses have been recognized globally for their significant contributions to inclusive growth, sustainable development, innovation, and climate sustainability. This platform offered both public and private stakeholders the opportunity to gain insights from the findings and lessons from the Inclusive Business Piloting in Kaduna State. The findings, carried out by the ICR Facility, proffer recommendations for the National Scale-Up of the Inclusive Business Policy in Nigeria and address key challenges facing Inclusive Businesses. 💬The roundtable addressed the challenges and opportunities of fostering inclusive enterprises. It highlighted the significance of legislation, policy, and strategic planning in promoting impact investing and inclusive business models. The discussion concluded that a dedicated institutional framework, employing a multi-stakeholder approach, is crucial for advancing inclusive business promotion. The SEDIN programme is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH. #InclusiveBusiness

🌍We were honored to have hosted representatives from all ECOWAS member states and experts from the ECOWAS in Abuja from July 15-18, 2024. 📋🔐     Together, we engaged in revising the Supplementary Act on Personal Data Protection. This collaboration was a pivotal step towards enhancing data governance and protecting the personal data of millions across the region, fostering trust, and promoting a secure digital environment.    A heartfelt thank you to all participants for their invaluable contributions and dedication to building a secure and inclusive digital future. 🤝    Stay tuned as we continue to work together to implement these vital updates and promote a culture of data protection across the ECOWAS region. This initiative has been supported by the “Support to the ECOWAS Commission on Organizational Development” project co-funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and European Union and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH  

🌱 As part of the effort of the Global Project “Promotion of agricultural finance for agri-based enterprises in rural areas” (GP AgFin) in Nigeria to deepen access to finance for agri-based entrepreneurs, it recently organised a 3-day training on Agricultural Value Chain Financing to fifty-five (55) newly recruited employees of its partner Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre. Women represented 65% of the newly recruited personnel. 📈The training covered the following content: 🔺 Financing women in agricultural value chains (methodology, approach); 🔺 Understanding agriculture value chains; 🔺 Common approaches to financing agriculture value chain; 🔺 Opportunities in agricultural asset, infrastructure, and mechanization finance 🔺 Credit for growth and investment options for smallholder farmers, 🔺 Business Model Canvas of agriculture value chain actors. 💡 The trained staff were recruited to start up the new agribusiness division of the institution and drive the three (3) newly co-developed financial products targeting agricultural value chain actors with a focus on women across the country. The new products are the Short-Term Agribusiness Loan, Long Term Agribusiness Loan and Agriculture Equipment Loan. The financial products are being piloted in fourteen (14) states across the country. 🏦 With its activities, the GP AgFin bridges the link between the agricultural and financial sectors by providing demand-driven advisory and facilitating improved access to suitable financial services. GP AgFin is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH. #WomenFinancialInclusion #Loan #FinancialInclusion #AgricultureFinance https://lnkd.in/eZcqKrya

🌍 United for Wildlife! 🦁     We are thrilled to have been part of the United for Wildlife West Africa Chapter launch in Lagos, Nigeria. This significant event highlighted the critical role of cross-border and intersectoral cooperation in combatting wildlife crime and preserving biodiversity. 🌿🐾    We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the German Government, @United for Wildlife, the The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for their unwavering support and collaboration. 🤝    The strong commitment of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders from the ECOWAS member states, with special recognition to Nigeria for hosting this event, showcases our collective dedication to fighting wildlife crime. Together, we are fostering good governance and enhancing security and stability across the region.    The Partnership against Wildlife Crime in Africa and Asia project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, is funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.    Click to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dY8tdDc https://lnkd.in/drNsnf2 #UnitedForWildlife #ECOWASregion  

🚀 Nigeria Launches Guided Trade Initiative under AfCFTA! 🌍    We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Guided Trade Initiative under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a historic step forward for Nigeria. This initiative, led by His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, aims to unlock an estimated $50 billion in economic opportunities for Nigerian businesses, fostering industrialization, equitable growth, and continental prosperity. 💼✨.    The launch event, supported by the Support to ECOWAS Commission in the implementation of the AfCFTA project together with various international partners, marked a significant step in advancing regional and continental economic integration. Svenja Ossmann (she/her), GIZ ECOWAS Cluster Coordinator, emphasized Germany's commitment to supporting Nigeria's proactive efforts in aligning national strategies with ECOWAS-coordinated AfCFTA initiatives. 🤝    The AfCFTANG, with the support of the AfCFTA support project, has developed a comprehensive Action Plan designed to operationalize AfCFTA implementation in Nigeria. This plan aims to maximize the benefits of trade liberalization for all Nigerian businesses, with a special focus on empowering women and youth entrepreneurs. 👩💼👨💼    At the launch, Dr. Doris Anite MD, CFA Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reiterated Nigeria's unwavering dedication to leveraging AfCFTA for industrial growth and job creation.    His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, affirmed Nigeria's commitment to leading continental and global trade through AfCFTA, promising a transformative future for all Africans built on collaboration, innovation, and collective strength.     The AfCFTA project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH. #AfCFTA #EconomicGrowth #ContinentalLeadership #Nigeria #TradeInitiative #GIZ #ECOWAS #Collaboration #Innovation #Prosperity

💡 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a zoonotic viral disease that affects wild birds and poultry, posing significant risks to human health besides threatening farmers’ livelihoods. Avian influenza outbreaks highlight the interconnectedness of animal, environmental, and human health, underscoring the necessity for collaboration, information sharing, and coordinated efforts across all sectors using a One Health approach. 🦆🌳🐓 🤧    🔎 In response to recent changes in the epidemiology of HPAI causing global concern, the ECOWAS Commission, through its specialized agencies, organized a regional workshop to strengthen preparedness and response capacities. These institutions included the Regional Animal Health Center (RAHC), the Regional Center for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC), and the Directorate of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the ECOWAS Commission, with support from the “Regional Pandemic Preparedness Project (RPPP)”, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI / ), and the German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG).    🎤 Highlights of the workshop were the sharing of knowledge and experiences on HPAI, the review and technical validation of the ECOWAS Regional One Health Strategy, a SWOT analysis of the region's HPAI strategy, and a joint risk assessment on HPAI in poultry, wild birds and humans including the identification of mitigation measures.    ✅ The workshop produced valuable actionable recommendations, which include revising the HPAI strategy, enhancing wildlife surveillance, engaging communities, and strengthening technical networks through joint trainings.   It was deemed a success by the participants as it addressed both technical content and strategic planning to improve HPAI preparedness and response capacities in the ECOWAS region through the One Health approach.    The Regional Pandemic Preparedness Programme (RPPP) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH.    #HPAI #AvianInfluenza #OneHealth #Preparedness 

📢 Call for Applications to all Rice Processors or Entrepreneurs in Nigeria!   We are awaiting your applications for the new product development in the rice value-chain in Nigeria! 🌾🚀 ⏳Running from 19th July to 2nd August 2024 ⌛  Are you a processor or entrepreneur interested in: increasing the demand for your products, meeting the needs of consumers, and increasing income or profit from your businesses through the development of new products within the rice value chain?  💰🌾👨🏾🌾 Don't miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level! Apply now and let's grow together! 🙌🏽🌱  Interested? Visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eezbCjH for relevant documents.  For additional questions, write to [email protected]   The MOVE Project is commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the European Union and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH. #RiceValueChain #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity   www.cari-project.org

🔧💼Job Creation: Uniting for Impact - Create. Collaborate. Change. 💪 On July 3, 2024, the Lagos Employment Summit 3.0 convened, focusing on job creation, skills development, and public-private collaboration. The summit was hosted by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the Nigerian Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment (WWCE), and the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB). 💡 A highlight of the summit was the launch of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) for Lagos State, supported by the Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE II) programme. This system consolidates labour market data, information and analysis to support policymakers and labour market stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation. 🏹Important issues emphasized at the summit included, creating quality jobs, empowering MSMEs, and enhancing digital literacy. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu applauded the collaboration with the German government, highlighting the need to scale these successes. 🤝These pressing topics brought together other dignitaries including His Excellency Olawande Ayodele E, Honorable Minister of State on Youth Employment, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. Weert Börner alongside key stakeholders from the public, private sectors and development partners. The Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE II) is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) , with co-funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Direction du développement et de la coopération). #LSETF #LMISLagos

🌱 As part of GP AgFin Nigeria bridging the gap between the supply and demand side of the agriculture value chain, its partnership with Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre has resulted after a 3-days training to the development of three (3) new agricultural loan products tailored around various Business Analysis Models of GP AgFin targeting the rice, maize, and cassava value chains. This will be Grooming Centre’s first foray into agriculture financing.    📈The new financial products developed were tailored around existing Business Model Analysis of GP AgFin Nigeria for poultry (broiler) production, garri processing, cassava food and feed processor and Mobile Cassava Processing Innovation (MOCAPI) equipment. https://lnkd.in/ezaAZbhW   Some novelty around the new financial products includes: 🔻 reduced entry barrier and focus on women,  🔻 disbursement alignment to production or processing season,  🔻 a shift from weekly repayment norm of the institution to tailored repayment with business cycle and  🔻 reduced equity contribution amount amongst others.     💡 The newly co-developed products are the Short-Term Agribusiness Loan, Long Term Agribusiness Loan and Agriculture Equipment Loan. The financial products are being piloted in fourteen (14) states across the country by GP AgFin partner.     🏦 With its activities, the GP AgFin bridges the link between the agricultural and financial sectors by providing demand-driven advisory and facilitating improved access to suitable financial services. Throughout six years of activities in Nigeria, GP AgFin has successfully supported the development of nineteen financial products for the agricultural sector with partner financial institutions that have channeled over 27 million Euro to smallholder farmers and managers of agri-based rural enterprises.    GP AgFin is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH.  #WomenFinancialInclusion #Loan #FinancialInclusion #AgricultureFinance

💪ECOWAS Validates Grant SOPs     The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission recently concluded a four-day workshop in Abuja to validate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Grant Management. Supported by the “Organisational Development - Institutional Support to ECOWAS Phase II” project, the workshop brought together 30 key stakeholders to   enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in grant management.    Seydou M. Bangoura, Director of Administration and General Services of the ECOWAS Commission emphasized the importance of adhering to best practices to boost effectiveness and transparency in grant management. He highlighted how implementing SOPs meeting international standards will play a crucial role in ensuring resources are allocated and utilized efficiently, ultimately benefiting the entire West African region. The “Organisational Development - Institutional Support to ECOWAS Phase II” project is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union, and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.          #GrantManagement #Development #ECOWAS