International
China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation:Boosting Value Addition in Africa

China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation:
Boosting Value Addition in Africa
By: Yi Xin
During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held earlier this month, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina hailed the success of hybrid rice in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In fact, hybrid rice has been such a game-changer in Madagasgar’s grain production that it is celebrated on the 20,000 ariary banknote.
Since 2007, China has been working with Madagascar on hybrid rice technology. Now this high-yielding crop has outperformed traditional varieties by two to three times and its cultivation has expanded to 50,000 hectares in Madagascar.
The China-Africa relationship is a deep and multifaceted one. The collaboration on hybrid rice between China and Madagascar epitomizes the extensive agricultural partnership that has been developing since the 1950s. In recent years, China-Africa agricultural collaboration has become more solid, with notable progress in technology transfer, agricultural industrialization and capacity building.
The agricultural sector is among the ten partnership actions for cooperation with Africa announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2024 FOCAC Summit. What is especially noteworthy about this initiative, officially known as the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods, is that China will encourage two-way investment for joint ventures and create at least one million jobs for Africa by helping the continent retain added value from its agricultural products. As a matter of fact, cooperation to bolster local value chains is already yielding fruits in many African countries.
Cassava Cultivation in Nigeria
Cassava cultivation in many African nations has been hindered by challenges such as low productivity and underdeveloped processing capability.
The Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, a global leader in cassava research, has extended its expertise to Nigeria by working with Nigeria National Root Crops Research Institute and sharing sophisticated breeding and cultivation technologies. The collaboration focuses on research, training and the dissemination of best practices.
In Abuja, a modern agricultural demonstration base was established to enhance local cassava production capabilities. It also serves as a hub for regular training workshops on cassava cultivation and processing. As a result, locals have expanded their product range to include cassava-based biscuits, cakes and noodles, which are higher-value products compared to traditional cassava outputs. This initiative is a significant step towards transforming Nigeria’s cassava industry and aligns with the broader goals of China-Africa agricultural cooperation to boost food security and economic development in Africa
Rubber Industry in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire, a nation rich in natural resources, is the third-largest producer of natural rubber globally.
Historically, Côte d’Ivoire faced limitations in rubber processing, constraining exports to raw rubber, which offers little added value to the farmers. By joining efforts with China’s Mainland Group in 2020, the country has made a pivotal shift toward value addition in the industry.
The Mainland Group put into operation three rubber processing plants in Dabou, Duekoue and San-Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire, which have together generated over 1,600 local jobs and a combined annual processing capacity of approximately 400,000 tons—accounting for one-third of the nation’s rubber output. According to Mr. Dosso Adama, the Côte d’Ivoire Ambassador to China, these facilities have significantly bolstered the country’s rubber production capabilities. They have added substantial value to the industry, spurred local economic growth and brought tangible benefits to the populace.
These are just two examples of how agricultural cooperation helps to retain added value in Africa. The Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027) adopted at the FOCAC Summit aligns with these efforts. It articulates China’s commitment to incentivizing enterprises to engage in comprehensive industrial chain cooperation with Africa, spanning from agricultural and aquaculture production to processing, machinery manufacturing, and logistics. This is designed to assist Africa in extending its industrial chains and amplifying its value creation, and dovetails well with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
As the world grapples with destructive impacts of climate change and a challenging economic outlook, China-Africa agricultural partnership can be a big boost to food security and economic growth in Africa, and bring lasting benefits to peace, stability and prosperity of the world.
*The author is a Beijing-based observer of international affairs.
China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation:
Boosting Value Addition in Africa
International
Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom

Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected abduction occurred on April 18, 2025, when Mr. Yangi Ming, a Chinese national working at Panda Supermarket in Jabi, was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Mr Yangi Ming left his residence at Stargate Apartment in Durumi around 1700hrs and was last seen wearing brown shorts and a black polo shirt.
His sister, Aisha Pan, residing in Sharanda, Kano State, later received a ransom demand of ₦300 million, made from Yangi Ming’s mobile phone number.
Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom
International
India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two siblings at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during a planned travel to India with 5 kilogrammes of cocaine.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said: “Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two brothers: John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos with 5 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.”
He said the two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport last Thursday following proactive processing of credible intelligence. He said they claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine were discovered on the walls of their bags.
Babafemi said in a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Osei with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.4 kilogrammes packed in a giant travelling bag. The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.
In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.
NDLEA operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Ngozi Ogili while moving 3 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along Okene-Lokoja highway last Monday. Babafemi said a follow up operation at her point of delivery in Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis.
In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nnanna Felix with 1.6 kilogrammes skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West local government area, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba last Tuesday.
No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye with 4.2 kilogrammes codeine syrup and 5.4kg pentazocine.
In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives last Thursday arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25 kilogrammes skunk and 90.4 grammes of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two women: Faith Etim, 64, and Victoria Etim, 40, were nabbed lasr Friday when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani local government area of Cross River State where 250,000 kilogrammes of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.
Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River and FCT commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.
India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport
International
UK Expresses Commitment to Restoration of Peace in Northeast

UK Expresses Commitment to Restoration of Peace in Northeast
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom has expressed its commitment to the restoration of peace, stability and sustainable solutions to the troubled Northeast region which has been bedeviled by insurgency.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Atkinson made the commitment on Monday when she paid a courtesy call on Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri.
Atkinson who commended Zulum for his commitment to fighting insurgency in Borno, said: “On behalf of the British Government, I recognise the effort of His Excellency, the Governor, in tackling insurgency and supporting the people of Borno State, particularly aiming to secure a prosperous future for the people displaced by insurgency.

“I want to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to supporting peace, stability and sustainable solutions, particularly through the ongoing regional stabilisation facility.”
Responding, the Secretary to Borno State Government who received the Deputy High Commissioner on behalf of Governor Zulum, expressed appreciation to the UK Government for their partnership and support.
He said,: “With the UK Government to start with, we have quite a number of very strong partnerships. His Excellency appreciates it, and he specifically instructed me to convey the special message of appreciation.”
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Engr Emet Kois, Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Work and Housing, Engr Mustapha Gubio, Transport and Energy, Aliyu Mohammed Bamanga and Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Tukur Shani.
Others in attendance include Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Abdullahi Ishaq, the Senior Technical Assistant, Political, to the Governor, Alhaji Tahiru Shettima, Permanent Secretary of political and cabinet, Danjuma Ali, and the Executive Secretary of Borno State Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response (BOACSDHR), Babakura Mamman Gadai.
UK Expresses Commitment to Restoration of Peace in Northeast
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