Nigeria will be able to count on additional development aid of €50 million from the European Union, the European Commission announced on Thursday 29 August.
The Financing Agreement was signed on the same day by the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, and the Nigerian authorities, on the margins of the Seventh International Conference on African Development in Japan (TICAD7) (see other news).
This package is intended to strengthen the development and resilience of the many victims of violence and displacement in North East Nigeria, while addressing some of the underlying factors of violent extremism in that country.
“It will help strengthen early recovery and build conflict resilience in affected and vulnerable communities in the States of Yobe and Borno, as well as improve human development, social cohesion and resilience for over 26,000 vulnerable households and communities in Yobe State”, the Commissioner said in a statement.
The projects will mobilise communities and local leaders to support and revitalise markets and livelihoods and enhance conflict mitigation systems.
The aid is financed by the European Development Fund (EDF). Nigeria has been allocated €562 million for the period 2014-2020 under the 11th EDF. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)