By Terna Chikpa
European investors, especially those in Türkiye, have expressed keen interest in made-in-Taraba agricultural products, especially coffee and tea.
In a statement issued by the delegation of the Made in Taraba Investors’ Tour, led by Hon. Peter George, immediate past Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry and currently Commissioner for Water Management and Aquatic Affairs, prospective investors from Türkiye and other parts of Europe have expressed strong interest in the State’s coffee, tea and chocolate value chains.
“In a meeting held at the Hilton Hotel, Istanbul, Türkiye, as part of the State’s ongoing efforts to attract strategic foreign investment, expand markets for locally produced goods and position Taraba as a competitive investment destination, prospective investors from Türkiye and other parts of Europe have expressed strong interest in Taraba coffee, tea and chocolate value chains.
“We had engagements with leading business executives, coffee shop operators, production and operations executives and prospective investors.
“At the investors’ breakfast meeting on Saturday, participants had the opportunity to taste Taraba Coffee and Highland Tea, alongside discussions on the State’s agricultural potential, production capacity, value addition, market access and opportunities across the broader agricultural value chain.”
The engagements generated significant interest in Taraba’s coffee and tea sectors, with prospective Turkish partners proposing a partnership framework that could see the establishment of “TARABA COFFEE” flagship retail outlets in Istanbul, with potential for expansion to other cities in Türkiye and the broader European market.
“The proposed Istanbul retail concept is expected to provide a direct market platform for Taraba Coffee while creating opportunities for the complementary distribution and promotion of Taraba Chocolate and Highland Tea in the Turkish and wider European markets,” the delegation informed.
It also disclosed that prospective investors expressed interest in purchasing at least 1,500 tonnes of Taraba agricultural products quarterly for the Turkish market, subject to further technical discussions.
The statement quoted the investors as saying the volume could subsequently be scaled to meet wider international demand.
“Of particular significance, prospective investors expressed interest in purchasing at least 1,500 tonnes of Taraba agricultural products quarterly for the Turkish market, subject to further technical discussions, quality verification, supply arrangements and the establishment of mutually acceptable commercial terms. The investors indicated that the volume could subsequently be scaled to meet wider international demand.
“We also held discussions with Mr. Hamza Hakkında of Unkur Akışkanlı Börek/COOFF TEA and Mr. Yasin Çaylı, Production and Operations Director of NOUVELIFE Company, among other business stakeholders and prospective partners.
“These engagements are part of the Taraba State Government’s broader strategy under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State, to take the State’s productive sectors beyond domestic markets, attract capital and technology, create jobs and establish sustainable international markets for Taraba-grown and Taraba-processed products.
“The State Government considers the emerging interest in Taraba Coffee, Highland Tea and other agricultural commodities a significant opportunity to move from the export of raw commodities towards value addition, branding, processing, packaging, distribution and international retail, thereby retaining greater economic value within Taraba.”
Speaking on the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy, Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu, said the Istanbul engagements demonstrate the growing potential of Taraba products to compete in international markets when strategically positioned, properly branded and connected to global value chains.
According to him, the objective is not merely to showcase Taraba products, but to build commercially viable partnerships capable of transforming the State’s agricultural resources into sustainable businesses, employment opportunities and increased revenue for farmers and other actors across the value chain.
He said the proposed TARABA COFFEE presence in Istanbul represents the type of market-driven partnership the State is seeking as it continues to open Taraba to international investors.
“We are not travelling merely to tell the world what Taraba has; we are taking Taraba’s products to the world and connecting them directly with the people, businesses and markets that can create value from them. The interest we have received in Istanbul is a strong indication that Taraba’s agricultural story can become an international commercial story.”
He added that the proposed partnerships would require detailed technical and commercial engagements to establish sustainable supply arrangements, quality standards, processing requirements, logistics, pricing and other conditions necessary for long-term success.
The Special Adviser said the State would continue to leverage technology, international partnerships, product branding and strategic market intelligence to support the Governor’s Moving Forward Agenda and the emerging vision of making Taraba a major investment hub in the North-East and Nigeria.
The delegation’s engagement with Turkish and European investors is expected to be followed by further discussions aimed at translating the expressions of interest into concrete investment and commercial agreements.
Prospective investors have also expressed their interest in visiting Taraba State for further discussions with His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas, and to undertake a deeper assessment of the State’s production potential, investment opportunities and the practical framework for establishing the proposed partnerships at the earliest possible time.
The Taraba State Government welcomes this interest and remains committed to creating an enabling environment for responsible investment, strengthening local production, supporting farmers and processors, and connecting Taraba’s products to profitable domestic and international markets.
