By Mercy Peter
The European Union (EU) has significantly upgraded its bilateral relationship with Nigeria, announcing a €290 million investment package under its Global Gateway strategy to support key sectors including digitalisation, healthcare, agriculture, and migration management.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Eighth Nigeria–EU Ministerial Dialogue in Abuja, co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
The new funding underscores a renewed political commitment by both parties to deepen cooperation amid shifting global dynamics.
Speaking at the event, Kallas said the EU is keen to strengthen ties with Nigeria, aligning its investments with the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, added that the initiative would support infrastructure development, job creation, and long-term economic growth for both regions.
A major portion of the package €131 million has been earmarked for digital development. The investment will support the rollout of approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable nationwide, expanding affordable and secure internet access to millions of underserved Nigerians.
The initiative also includes the development of interoperable digital public infrastructure and large-scale digital skills training aligned with Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent Programme. Officials say the move is expected to boost innovation, improve service delivery, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
In the health sector, €55 million will be deployed to strengthen local pharmaceutical production through improved access to finance and technical expertise.
This includes a €50 million financing agreement between the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) and the Bank of Industry (BOI).
The partnership will provide long-term loans to Nigerian companies producing medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics, helping to reduce reliance on imports while enhancing national health security.
BOI Managing Director, Olasupo Olusi, described the agreement as a “pivotal step” toward transforming Nigeria into a competitive producer of essential healthcare products.
EIB Vice President Ambroise Fayolle said the initiative would improve access to affordable, high-quality treatments while strengthening supply chain resilience.
The EU has also committed €86 million to support Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with a focus on cocoa and dairy value chains. The funding will improve access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses, while promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.
The programme aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to double its milk production and expand cocoa exports to European markets, while encouraging sustainable farming and private sector participation.
An additional €16 million will go toward migration management, including the reintegration of returning migrants and efforts to combat human trafficking.
The EU said it would continue to support voluntary return programmes and strengthen Nigeria’s systems for providing social, economic, and psychological assistance to migrants.
Security agencies will also receive support to tackle trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.
The latest commitments build on earlier EU-backed projects in Nigeria spanning transportation, renewable energy, democratic governance, and gender-based violence prevention. With the new package, total EU and “Team Europe” commitments to Nigeria since 2025 now stand at €962.5 million.
The healthcare financing initiative forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway Health Package and aligns with Africa-wide goals to boost local manufacturing.
It supports the African Union’s target of producing 60 percent of vaccines and essential medicines locally by 2040, while also advancing regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
EIB Global has invested €2.3 billion in Nigeria since 1978, supporting projects in transport, climate resilience, digital innovation, and small business financing.
The EU’s Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilise up to €300 billion globally by 2027 to bridge infrastructure gaps and promote sustainable development.
