WACOT Limited, a member of the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, has secured €1.26 million (approximately ₦2.25 billion) in funding support from DEG Impulse to empower 3,500 smallholder sesame farmers in Jigawa and Kebbi States.
The funding, obtained under the develoPPP programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, will be matched by WACOT with an additional €1.26 million counterpart fund. The combined investment will support a three-year initiative focused on promoting organic and climate-resilient sesame farming practices among smallholder farmers.
Building on the success of WACOT’s 2020 organic sesame pilot, which doubled Nigeria’s average sesame yields and achieved international ECOCERT certification, the new project will scale up the model by providing farmers with training, organic inputs, agroforestry support, weather alert systems, and financial inclusion services. The company has also committed to a 100 per cent offtake agreement to ensure participating farmers receive premium prices for their certified organic produce.
Managing Director of WACOT Limited, Naveen Chaurasia, described the grant as a strong validation of the company’s dedication to sustainable agriculture and smallholder empowerment. “By scaling our successful organic sesame model, we are not only securing a high-quality, traceable supply chain but also improving the livelihoods of thousands of farming families. This project will double farmer incomes, enhance climate resilience, and boost Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings,” he said.
Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, Habiba Suleiman, emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable development. “Our partnership with DEG Impulse and BMZ demonstrates how aligning business goals with development priorities creates shared value. We are proud to be advancing organic farming and climate-smart practices that strengthen rural economies and promote environmental sustainability,” she stated.
Managing Director of DEG Impulse, Marco Christ, noted that the initiative supports both poverty reduction and sustainable growth. “Through the develoPPP programme, we empower smallholder farmers while fostering Nigeria’s non-oil export expansion and environmental restoration. Supporting this project accelerates the adoption of sustainable farming and strengthens the agricultural value chain,” he said.
The project is expected to deliver substantial social and economic benefits, particularly for women and youth. It aims to boost sesame yields, double farmer incomes, create 46 direct jobs, and strengthen cooperative structures. Farmers will also gain improved access to financial services and technical support.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative contributes to No Poverty, Gender Equality, Decent Work, Climate Action, and Life on Land.
TGI Group, a global conglomerate with significant investments across emerging markets, continues to promote rural empowerment through agriculture, while DEG Impulse, a non-profit subsidiary of DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft), focuses on accelerating sustainable private-sector development through impactful partnerships.
