EU Pumps €290M into Nigeria via Global Gateway for Digital, Health, Agric

By Ifeyinwa Ike

The European Union has upgraded its strategic relationship with Nigeria, unveiling a €290 million Team Europe investment package during the Eighth Ministerial Dialogue in Abuja.

Co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, the announcement targets digitalisation, health, agricultural value chains, and migration management under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

These initiatives align with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope agenda and signal a deepened bilateral commitment amid shifting geopolitics.

Kallas emphasised, “In the current geopolitical context, the European Union is keen to enhance its partnership with Nigeria. Bringing more EU investment to Nigeria, aligning with the Renewed Hope agenda for the Nigerian Federal Government, is a key priority for both sides.”

EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela added: “Together with Nigeria, we are investing in the modernisation of the digital sector, a stronger health system, and in the development of agriculture.

These Global Gateway investments create new quality infrastructures, sustainable jobs, and long-term economic opportunities that benefit the Nigerian people, but also create new opportunities for Europe.”

The largest slice, €131 million, will upgrade digital connectivity, services, and skills. Partnering with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the EU will fund 90,000 km of fiber optic cable rollout, connecting 33 million previously unserved Nigerians with secure, affordable internet.

Additional efforts include secure digital public infrastructure, interoperable data systems, and large-scale training under Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent programme.

To bolster local production of medicines and vaccines, €55 million will expand access to finance and skills training. A new European Investment Bank credit line will offer preferential loans via Nigeria’s Bank of Industry to manufacturing firms. Team Europe will also back technical and vocational education to build workforce expertise.

In agriculture, €86 million targets cocoa and dairy value chains, easing finance access for companies and smallholder farmers. Another European Investment Bank credit line through the Bank of Industry supports climate-smart practices. This aids Nigeria’s goals to double milk production with EU firm partnerships and boost sustainable cocoa exports to Europe.

For migration, €16 million will aid reintegration of returning migrants and combat human trafficking. Funds support voluntary returns, a national referral system for social, economic, and psychological aid, and collaboration with Nigerian security to dismantle criminal networks. These build on broader efforts in victim protection, legal migration, and diaspora engagement.

The new package adds to prior investments in Lagos lagoon transport, renewable energy, democracy support, elections, and gender-based violence prevention, pushing total Team Europe commitments since 2025 to €962.5 million.