Nigeria’s Space Agency Moves to Establish Satellite Traceability for $3bn EU Export Compliance

News in Brief

-The Federal Government and NASRDA have signed an MoU for satellite-based farm traceability and EUDR compliance.

-Kyari emphasised that this system will provide farmer protection and national unity to build a more transparent, competitive agric sector.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has agreed with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to build a national system for tracking agricultural produce, monitoring farmlands, and verifying deforestation-free supply chains.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday in Abuja, alongside the unveiling of Nigeria's White Paper on Strategy for European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Compliance, aiming to shield billions in export earnings from new global trade barriers.​

Modernising Agriculture Value Chains

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, described the partnership as a strategic and symbolic one equipping Nigeria to stay competitive while protecting farmers and modernising value chains.

According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu has positioned agriculture at the heart of economic renewal, stability and inclusive growth.

He noted that the MoU between the ministry and the agency will establish the architecture for a national traceability and environmental monitoring system as the ministry handles farmer outreach and rollout nationwide.

“NASRDA will provide satellite imagery, real-time monitoring and technical leadership, while the ministry coordinates farmer engagement, policy integration and nationwide implementation,” he said.

Opportunity to Increase Exports

Kyari explained that the EU's regulation had set a new benchmark for agricultural exports, adding that Nigeria’s commodities must now be traceable to the exact farm boundary, legally produced, and verifiably deforestation-free.

He explores how Nigeria can turn the compliance risk into an opportunity, where, instead of losing over $1 billion in exports and $3 billion in economic value yearly, Nigeria could turn it into a competitive advantage.

“We can build a transparent, efficient and globally trusted agricultural economy. We can open new premium markets, attract stronger investment and deliver better incomes for our farmers,” he said while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to building a global standard and inclusive system for Nigerian farmers. “We will not miss this opportunity to build a technologically driven, globally respected and economically vibrant agricultural sector.”

Agencies Collaboration

NASRDA's Director-General, Dr Mathew Adepoju, pledged full support for the initiative, promising a full implementation of the MoU. He said the agency is actively supporting space technology and using agricultural satellites to trace agricultural produce.

“We would like to strengthen our working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. We will continuously support your programmes and initiatives,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stated that the event marked a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural system.

He said that the issues of traceability and deforestation had become central concerns in the global arena.

Dr Tolulope Pius-Fadipe, Head of Research and Development at the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), also expressed the commission's commitment to data security and ensuring that citizens' data is well protected.