Nigeria, UNIDO Sign $60m New Country Programme

• Nigeria, UNIDO Sign $60m New Country Programme

The Federal Government and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation have signed a $60m new country programme for Nigeria to cover industrial governance, research and statistics, and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises development programme.

The programme is part of efforts of Nigeria to accelerate the country’s industrialisation process through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

Minister, Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, signed on behalf of the Federal Government while the Director-General of UNIDO, Mr Li Yong, signed for his organisation.

Commenting on the programme, Enelamah said on his twitter handle, @OkeyEnelamah, “It was a pleasure to host the DG of @UNIDO, Li Yong, this evening for the signing of the agency’s new $60m country program (2018 – 2022) for Nigeria. This programme will support us in our quest for more quality jobs for our people and better diversification of our economy.”

The new Country Programme comprises nine programmatic components. These are: industrial governance, research and statistics programme; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises development programme; and Special Economic Zones, industrial parks and private sector development programme

Others are innovation, science and technology management programme; agro-industry and agribusiness development programme; minerals and metals development programme; trade capacity building programme; renewable energy development programme and environmental management programme.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the new Country Programme, the second in the series of UNIDO’s support to the government of Nigeria, is aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s drive toward Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development.

It will align with the priorities of the Federal Government as outlined in Vision 20:2020, Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan.

The programme was designed to build on the cumulative achievements of the past Country Service Frameworks and Country Programme implemented by UNIDO.