By Ebunoluwa Sessou

As part of effort to fulfill its mandate the United States government in Nigeria, in partnership with Manamuz Electric has launched a solar-powered cold storage facility in Enugu.

The event which was coordinated by the Consul General in Lagos, Will Stevens, was aimed at impacting positively on Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The Manamuz Electric is a company by Mandela Washington Fellow, Uzo Mbamalu.

In his speech, Stevens praised Uzo for utilizing his U.S. government exchange experience to forge connections benefiting his local community.

“It is so cool to see how Uzo used his 6-week exchange experience at the University of Nevada-Reno to forge connections that are now benefiting his local community.

“The solar-powered cold storage facility, supported by a grant from the U.S. Africa Development Foundation, aims to address Nigeria’s estimated $9 billion annual loss to post-harvest waste due to inadequate cold storage, agro-processing, and transportation infrastructure.

“This innovative project would provide a reliable and cost-effective preservation option for agricultural stakeholders, helping to reduce food waste and increase food security in Nigeria.

“In Nigeria, as in other emerging economies, infrastructure is critical to driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development,” Stevens emphasized. “Infrastructure connects workers to good jobs; allows businesses to grow and thrive, and creates opportunities for all segments of society, including underserved communities.”

“The U.S. government has invested almost $200 million in agriculture in Nigeria over the last five years, and the solar-powered cold storage facility is just one example of their partnership with federal and state government agencies and businesses to promote food security.

“Recently, the US government launched the Global Food Security Strategy Country Plan for Nigeria, which aims to boost agriculture productivity and drive agriculture-led economic growth.

“When companies make decisions on where to do business around the world, they seek out those markets where the business environment is rules-based and predictable.

“We stand ready to partner with Nigeria to strengthen the institutions and regulatory frameworks that will make Nigeria an even more attractive place to do business.”

“Investment in farming equipment, food processing, and cold chain storage solutions not only improves Nigeria’s infrastructure but also creates opportunities for US businesses interested in the Nigerian market.

“The US government’s Foreign Agricultural Service and African Development Foundation work with partners to develop new agricultural technologies, build trade capacity, and train farmers on how to use technology to improve their yields.

“Taking full advantage of these opportunities requires not only natural resources and human capital but also a stable, transparent, and business-friendly regulatory and investment climate.

“This is a time of unprecedented opportunities,” Stevens concluded.