CFC welcomes Nigerian Ambassador to strengthen cooperation on Agricultural Development and Commodity Value Chains
Amsterdam, 11 August 2026 - Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), received H.E. Dr. M.I. Haidara, Ambassador and Alternate Governor of Nigeria, at the CFC headquarters in Amsterdam. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Nick Uhomoibhi, Counsellor. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Nigeria’s agricultural development priorities, commodity value addition, food security, and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the CFC.
Ambassador Belal welcomed the Nigerian delegation and highlighted the long-standing relationship between the CFC and the multilateral commodity agenda.
“The Common Fund for Commodities was born from the work of UNCTAD and the recognition that commodities are fundamental to development. The integrated programme for commodities, which envisioned CFC to have between USD 11 and 13 billion credit line 1970 time, reflected the importance of creating a more equitable and sustainable commodity system. Today, the CFC continues that mission by supporting the countries, farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises at the heart of commodity value chains,” Ambassador Belal said.
He further presented the CFC’s Humanizing the Value Chains (HVC) initiative as a strategic priority of the organization, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that value generated through commodity transactions reaches the people who produce them.
“Humanizing the Value Chains is about justice by transaction. Every transaction in a commodity value chain should contribute to a fairer distribution of value and greater opportunities for the people whose labour sustains these markets.” Ambassador Belal noted.
During the meeting, the Nigerian delegation was also shown products from CFC-supported investments, including Johnvents, a Nigerian company active in cocoa processing. The delegation viewed examples of its value-added products, including cocoa powder and chocolate milk, illustrating the potential for local processing to create greater value within Nigeria’s commodity value chains.
H.E. Dr. Haidara highlighted Nigeria’s resilience and the strong potential of its agricultural sector, including commodities such as cassava, sorghum, millet, and shea butter.
“Nigeria has demonstrated tremendous resilience and continues to have enormous potential in agriculture. We are deliberate about diversifying our economy, ensuring that we are able to produce more of the food we consume and strengthen our food security. Commodities such as cassava, sorghum, millet, and shea butter offer significant opportunities for value addition and inclusive growth,” Ambassador Haidara said.
He expressed Nigeria’s readiness to engage more closely with the CFC and welcomed opportunities to deepen cooperation.
“We are very much ready to engage with the Common Fund for Commodities. There is considerable scope for closer cooperation, particularly in strengthening agricultural value chains and supporting the private sector. We would also encourage key Nigerian stakeholders and players to visit the CFC and explore how we can work together more closely,” he added. Ambassador Haidara thanked Ambassador Belal for his passion and commitment to supporting developing countries and strengthening commodity value chains, noting Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the CFC.
The meeting also explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration around agricultural SMEs, value addition, food security, and sustainable rural development. Both sides recognized the importance of moving beyond the export of raw commodities towards stronger domestic processing and value creation.
Concluding the meeting, Ambassador Belal reaffirmed the CFC’s readiness to deepen its engagement with Nigeria and support opportunities that strengthen the country’s commodity sectors.
“Nigeria is a major commodity-producing country with enormous potential to create value, employment, and sustainable livelihoods through its agricultural sector. The CFC stands ready to work with Nigeria and its partners to unlock this potential and ensure that commodity development translates into greater prosperity for farmers, entrepreneurs, and communities,” Ambassador Belal concluded.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their interest in strengthening cooperation and exploring opportunities to advance sustainable agriculture, food security, commodity value addition, and more inclusive and resilient value chains in Nigeria.
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