Nigeria is among some African countries to benefit from the €2.6 billion European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD).The EFSD will contain two ‘blending’ facilities/ platforms, which will provide grants to improve the conditions under which public institutions and the private sector working with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) can borrow for investment purposes.
Minister, Deputy Head of Delegation, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States, Richard Young, revealed this yesterday in Lagos at a media conference to announce its seventh EU-Nigeria business forum. Young said the funds would be released to two regional investment platforms, which include the African Investment Platform (AIP) and Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP). He put the indicative budget of both platforms at EUR 2.6 billion.
President, EBO Nigeria, Mrs .Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the EBO would represent the voice of European companies across various sectors of the economy, and ensure a high-level policy dialogue with Nigerian authorities and organised private sector, with the objective of improving business and investment climate thereby fostering business and trade relations between the EU and Nigeria. The EBO is expected to be launched during the forum.