Victoria Mbangwa
Nigeria and the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis are set to deepen agricultural cooperation in a move that both countries say could redefine food security, trade, and economic ties across Africa and the Caribbean.
During a courtesy visit in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, welcomed the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation led by Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources, Small Business & Creative Economy.
Kyari stressed that agriculture has become a critical driver of growth for both nations, pointing out that Nigeria’s 80 million hectares of arable land and 25% contribution of agriculture to its GDP provide a strong platform for regional and transatlantic partnerships.
“This collaboration is not just about food security but it will lead to a significant outcomes that promote expanded frontiers for economic prosperity and sustainable development in both Africa and the Caribbean,” Kyari noted, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to St. Lucia has already sparked initiatives aimed at strengthening Africa-Caribbean ties.
The Nigerian minister revealed that St. Kitts and Nevis is particularly interested in three key areas: capacity exchange, investment in agro-industries, and supply of raw materials. He assured that Nigeria is well-positioned to support these goals through the export of organic food commodities, eco-friendly fertilizers, and opportunities in irrigation technology.
Hon. Duggins described the collaboration as a “strategic pathway to food sovereignty and shared growth,” emphasizing that it would facilitate knowledge transfer and stronger economic bonds.
Both ministers underscored that the partnership aligns with a broader “Transatlantic Dream” a vision of African-Caribbean cooperation that leverages agriculture as a tool for prosperity and resilience in the face of global food insecurity.
