ReelFruit Launches Largest Dried Fruit Factory In Nigeria

News in Brief: - The US and Nigeria have collaborated to open the largest dried fruit factory in Nigeria with the capacity to process 800 metric ton of fruit. - USAID provided a grant and technical assistance, while ReelFruit invested $2 million to build the facility which targets empowering local farmers, creating jobs, and positioning Nigeria dried fruits export. Nigerian company Nature's Bounty Health Products (ReelFruit) and the United States government commemorated the launch of an 800-metric ton dried fruit processing facility in Ogun State. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria's Deputy Mission Director, Sara Werth, highlighted the significance of the partnership in helping to empower and strengthen local capacities. She noted that the US government has been investing in Nigeria’s economic growth, particularly the agriculture and agribusiness sectors. Werth added that the partnership and investment was made possible through a multisector strategy of engaging government, the private sector, and communities. Speaking in same vein, the CEO of ReelFruit, Affiong Williams, lauded the collaboration and expressed pride in commissioning the largest dried fruit factory in Nigeria. [caption id="attachment_6854" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] CEO ReelFruit, Affiong Williams[/caption] The 37-year-old founder and CEO stated that the partnership serves as a testament to her long-term unwavering belief in Nigeria’s agricultural and manufacturing opportunity. She added that the company will process a range of dried fruits at scale, to serve customers across the country. The move will also significantly help to sell the 'made in Nigeria' brand to the rest of the world, while creating jobs and impacting farmers.

Empowering local farmers and bolstering ReelFruit's supply chain

Meantime, the journey towards this milestone commenced in 2021 when the USAID recognized the challenges faced by ReelFruit's supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its West Africa Trade & Investment Hub project, USAID extended a $500,000 co-investment grant to the company. The project empowered 355 smallholder farmer networks across eight Nigerian states, equipping them with essential knowledge on good agricultural practices to ensure long-term sustainability and improved yields. ReelFruit mirrored USAID's efforts with a $2 million investment secured from a private equity fund. Furthermore, USAID directly purchased fresh fruits from these networks, providing them with a reliable market and income source. The inauguration of this state-of-the-art facility marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria's agribusiness sector. It not only positions ReelFruit as a frontrunner in the domestic dried fruit market but also paves the way for exciting international export opportunities.