The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) says it has invested $82.74 million (N109.61 billion) in development programmes in Nigeria since it began operations in the country.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, KOICA Country Director in Nigeria, Eunsub Kim, said the investment had created jobs in agriculture and strengthened entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.
Kim said KOICA worked with government agencies and other partners to address development needs in education, agriculture, governance, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and skills development.
He highlighted programmes including the Green Jobs for Youth in Resilient Agrifood Systems Programme, Start-up Digital Innovation Academy Project, Smart School Project Phase II, Digital Governance Project and CIAT Fellowship Programme.
He said the fellowship had supported about 2,000 Nigerian government officials to strengthen their skills and learn from Korea’s development experience.
Kim also cited the Nigerian-Korean Model School in Abuja as part of the agency’s cooperation with Nigeria.
Also speaking, UNDP Head of Inclusive Growth, Claire Henshaw, said UNDP was supporting KOICA on the construction of the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship.
She said the centre would support digital innovation, skills acquisition and digital transformation, targeting young businesses, young people and the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Abuja and its environs.
Henshaw said the initiative would help Nigeria and Africa respond to the opportunities created by Artificial Intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
