By Bunmi Yekini
The U.S. Mission to Nigeria has concluded a four-day programme aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties in Nigeria’s livestock sector, bringing together American agribusiness leaders, Nigerian government officials and private sector stakeholders.
The Aug. 10–13 initiative, held under the U.S. Freedom 250 programme, featured U.S. livestock development expert Dr. Gregg BeVier, who engaged policymakers and businesses on expanding commercial partnerships in animal agriculture.
In Abuja, BeVier addressed participants at the All-Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. He also met officials from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Livestock Reforms and Implementation Committee to discuss private-sector collaboration in livestock production.
The programme also included virtual engagements with audiences across 30 American Spaces in Nigeria, where BeVier spoke to young people about careers and opportunities to improve livestock productivity.
At the U.S.-Nigeria Livestock and Feed Connect event, BeVier joined representatives of several American animal husbandry companies in business-to-business discussions with Nigerian livestock and feed enterprises to explore potential commercial partnerships.
The U.S. Mission said the programme forms part of its Commercial and Investment Partnership, a flagship effort to improve the business climate and expand two-way trade and investment between the United States and Nigeria, particularly in agriculture.
The initiative also builds on existing exchange programmes, including the International Visitor Leadership Program and the Young African Leaders Initiative, while laying the groundwork for future collaborations in agricultural finance and trade.
BeVier is chief executive of Fast Genetics and chief operating officer of ST Genetics. He previously managed the livestock portfolio at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and has held senior leadership roles in global animal health and livestock companies over a career spanning more than three decades.