NEPC, CBI Partner to Boost Nigeria Ginger Industry

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says its partnership with the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) under the Nigeria Ginger Sustainability Programme (2021–2025) is boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness as a source of high-quality, sustainably produced ginger.

NEPC Executive Director/CEO, Nonye Ayeni, made this known in Abuja during a visit by the CBI buyers’ mission, noting that the initiative equips exporters with the skills, tools, and international exposure needed to thrive in the global market.

Ayeni explained that 17 ginger companies and 10 Export Support Officers (ESOs) were selected at the start of the programme, with 14 companies and seven ESOs remaining actively involved. The ESOs, who are NEPC staff members, have served as product specialists, guiding companies through training, compliance procedures, and market-readiness activities.

She noted that in the last four years, participating companies and ESOs have undergone intensive training within the CBI curriculum and joined trade missions to Europe, which successfully linked Nigerian ginger exporters to European Union buyers. All beneficiary companies have also developed company-specific Sectoral Export Marketing Plans (SEMPs), confirming their readiness for sustained international engagement.

Ayeni disclosed that CBI and several European spice companies had visited ginger firms in Lagos and Kano as part of a buyers’ mission, leading to a final buyer-seller meeting in Abuja to facilitate networking, deal-making, and increased exports to the Netherlands and other EU countries.

She welcomed five importing companies from Europe—Jayanti Spices, Verstegen Spices & Sauces, Mintas Specialty Foods, Nedspice, and Martin Baur—who are in Nigeria to deepen their understanding of the ginger value chain and explore sourcing and commercial partnerships.

“For Nigerian exporters, this is an invaluable opportunity to showcase capacity and quality. For visiting buyers, Nigeria offers a vibrant supply base and a sector on the brink of transformation driven by sustainability, improved practices, and strengthened compliance,” Ayeni said.

She added that as the programme enters its concluding phase, the mission reaffirms the potential of Nigeria’s ginger sector to become a global model for sustainable production, structured value-chain development, and mutually beneficial international trade.