WACOT Limited, a member of the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, has secured a €1.26 million grant (approximately ₦2.25 billion) from DEG Impulse under the develoPPP funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to promote sustainable sesame production among smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
WACOT will match the grant with an equivalent €1.26 million counterpart fund, bringing the total investment to about €2.52 million for a three-year project aimed at empowering 3,500 smallholder sesame farmers in Jigawa and Kebbi States to adopt organic and climate-resilient farming practices.
The initiative builds on the success of WACOT’s 2020 organic sesame pilot project, which more than doubled average national yields and achieved international ECOCERT certification. The new project seeks to scale this model by providing participating farmers with training, organic inputs, agroforestry systems, weather alerts, and financial inclusion support.
A core feature of the initiative is WACOT’s 100% offtake agreement, guaranteeing participating farmers premium prices for their certified organic produce while ensuring a traceable, high-quality supply chain for WACOT’s processing operations.
Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Naveen Chaurasia, Managing Director of WACOT Limited, said:
“This grant is a powerful validation of our commitment to sustainable agriculture and to the smallholder farmers who are the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy. By scaling our organic sesame model, we are doubling farmer incomes, enhancing climate resilience, and boosting non-oil export earnings. It is a true reflection of TGI Group’s philosophy of ‘earning the goodwill of the people.’”
Also commenting, Mrs. Habiba Suleiman, Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, described the collaboration as a model for impactful private-sector partnerships:
“Our alliance with DEG Impulse and BMZ shows how aligning business objectives with development goals can deliver shared prosperity. This project reinforces TGI’s commitment to rural development, organic farming, and climate-smart agriculture, creating long-term benefits for farmers and the environment.”
Mr. Marco Christ, Managing Director of DEG Impulse, noted that the initiative fits into Germany’s wider goal of sustainable economic inclusion in Africa:
“Through our develoPPP programme, we aim to empower smallholder farmers, reduce poverty, and strengthen non-oil export capacity. Supporting the scaling of this project will accelerate the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and foster environmental restoration.”
The project is expected to yield measurable impact, including:
Training 3,500 farmers in organic sesame cultivation, with an emphasis on women and youth participation.
Enhancing climate resilience and doubling farmer incomes through improved yields.
Creating 46 direct jobs and strengthening farmer cooperatives.
Expanding access to finance and promoting inclusion in rural communities.
The project also supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including No Poverty (SDG 1), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15).
Overall, this partnership marks a major stride toward building a sustainable and inclusive agricultural economy in Nigeria, positioning the country as a key player in the global organic sesame market.
