British Foreign Secretary Unveils £60 Million Support Package for Sustainable Growth

During his four-day tour across African countries, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is set to unveil a comprehensive support package amounting to £60 million. This assistance will be directed towards bolstering agricultural practices, enhancing food systems, and facilitating humanitarian initiatives within Nigeria.

The British government's strategic move aims to empower over 4 million individuals with improved agricultural techniques, enabling them to counter the adverse effects of climate change arising from carbon emissions. Cleverly's visit to Nigeria is just one leg of his broader journey, which includes stops in Ghana and Zambia as well.

Engagements of the Foreign Secretary in Abuja

In a noteworthy announcement from the U.K government, it has been disclosed that Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will introduce a substantial £10 million fund in Lagos. Collaborating with finance enterprise InfraCredit, this initiative seeks to unlock financial resources for sustainable and environmentally-friendly infrastructure projects. Such projects encompass a range of endeavors, from providing renewable energy services to urban households to promoting eco-conscious housing developments.

Cleverly's activities in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, will also take center stage. A significant Propcom+ contract worth £55 million will be unveiled as part of the United Kingdom's broader Propcom+ international climate finance program, previously agreed upon during COP27. The primary focus of this endeavor is to empower rural farmers, aiding them in scaling up sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term viability.

Expressing his thoughts on the visit, Mr. Cleverly emphasized the burgeoning potential for a closer partnership between the UK and Nigerian businesses. As Nigeria boasts a robust population and the largest economy in Africa, both nations stand to gain mutual advantages from this collaboration. The joint efforts are geared towards a sustainable future, with a concentrated emphasis on implementing environmentally-friendly measures within both agriculture and infrastructure development. These measures are poised to generate climate-resilient solutions to address the pressing global challenges of today and those anticipated in the years ahead.

Furthermore, Cleverly will utilize this opportunity to engage in discussions with President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Mr. Nuhu Ribadu. These conversations will revolve around vital topics encompassing trade, investment, and security, not only within Nigeria but also across the broader region.