Nigeria and Morocco have taken a significant step to deepen agricultural cooperation through a new framework aimed at boosting livestock trade and agribusiness development. The agreement was reached during high-level talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari.
As part of the agreement, a Joint Technical Working Group will be established to coordinate implementation and refine Nigeria’s proposals. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed in April 2026 at Morocco’s SIAM Annual Agriculture Show.
The framework outlines a mutually beneficial trade arrangement. Nigeria plans to export live animals, animal products, fodder, soybean meal, and sunflower seeds to Morocco. In return, Morocco will support Nigeria with advanced irrigation technology, enhanced animal genetics to improve livestock quality, and adherence to international phytosanitary standards for red-meat processing and packaging.
A key component of the partnership is collaboration in veterinary research. Nigeria’s National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) is exploring a partnership with Moroccan vaccine company BioPharma to produce vaccines for cattle, poultry, equines, sheep, and goats. Of particular interest is BioPharma’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine, which covers seven serotypes and aligns with Nigeria’s disease control priorities.
Speaking on the cooperation, Minister Maiha said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of modernizing its livestock value chain and boosting exports. “This framework will not only enhance our agricultural productivity but also strengthen veterinary research and disease control in Nigeria,” he noted.
For Morocco, the partnership reinforces its commitment to supporting agribusiness across West Africa while deepening diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria.
The new cooperation framework is expected to be a transformative step for both countries, fostering sustainable agricultural development and enhancing food security in the region. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
