Nigeria has expanded its agricultural ties with Morocco through a renewed cooperation framework aimed at strengthening livestock trade, agribusiness development and veterinary capacity between the two countries.
The agreement was reached during a high-level bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Forest and Rural Development, Ahmed El Bouari.
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According to a statement from the Presidency, the engagement—held as part of Nigeria’s livestock agribusiness study tour to Morocco—marks a key step in Nigeria’s drive to boost exports and modernise its livestock value chain.
Nigeria targets more livestock and crop exports
Under the proposed cooperation framework, Nigeria plans to expand the export of live animals, animal products, fodder, soybean meal and sunflower seeds to Morocco.
In return, Morocco will support Nigeria with irrigation technology, water-engineering systems, improved animal genetics and enhanced phytosanitary standards for red-meat processing and packaging.
To advance the plan, a Joint Technical Working Group has been set up to refine Nigeria’s proposals ahead of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expected to be signed during the SIAM Annual Agriculture Show in April 2026.
New opportunities in veterinary research
The Nigerian delegation also visited BioPharma, a Rabat-based vaccine manufacturer supplying Morocco and several African markets.
Discussions focused on potential collaboration with Nigeria’s National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, especially in developing vaccines for cattle, poultry, equines, sheep and goats.
BioPharma’s advanced Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine—covering seven serotypes—was highlighted as a strong fit for Nigeria’s livestock disease-control priorities.
Growing trade potential
Nigeria and Morocco maintain an active bilateral relationship, especially in agriculture, petroleum and telecommunications. In 2023, Morocco exported $109 million worth of goods to Nigeria, mainly fertilizers, while Nigeria exported $43.6 million, largely bran and float glass.
Both countries see enormous potential for growth through deeper cooperation, including the Nigeria–Morocco gas pipeline and renewable-energy partnerships.
Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, recently noted that trade between the two countries could reach $2.5 billion annually if existing barriers are removed.
