Nigerian-based Nature’s Bounty Health Products (ReelFruit) and the United States Government have launched an 800-metric-ton dried fruit processing factory in Ogun State.

Speaking at the event held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Thursday, February 15, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria’s Deputy Mission Director, Sara Werth, who spoke on behalf of the U.S. government said: “Spanning the last twenty-five years, the U.S. government has been investing in Nigeria’s economic growth, particularly the agriculture and agribusiness sectors.

“Our partnership and investment is made possible through a multisector strategy of engaging government, the private sector, and communities to empower and strengthen local capacities.”

On his part, ReelFruit CEO, Affiong Williams, said: “Today marks a momentous occasion in the history of our company. We are proud to have commissioned the largest dried fruit factory in Nigeria, which serves as a testament to my long-term unwavering belief in Nigeria’s Agricultural and manufacturing opportunities.

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“We are going to process our range of dried fruits at scale, to serve customers across the country, as well as sell ‘Made in Nigeria’ to the rest of the world, creating hundreds of jobs, and positively impacting farmers.”

A statement issued by USAID on Friday added: “USAID began its partnership with ReelFruit in 2021. Through the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub project (Trade Hub), USAID awarded ReelFruit a $500,000 co-investment grant to help restore the company’s supply chain which had been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This partnership supported 355 smallholder farmer networks across eight states in Nigeria – Adamawa, Edo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, and Oyo – by providing training on good agronomic practices and directly purchasing their fresh fruits.

“ReelFruit concurrently invested $2 million sourced through a private equity fund to complete the dried fruit processing factory, scaling up its operations by almost 10-fold.

“The Trade Hub improves private sector competitiveness, with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade.”

The Star