tivwomenindiaspora

By Mnena Rachel Kogi

Introduction

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigeria’s oil corporation, responsible for the exploration, production, refining, and marketing of petroleum products, on September 3, 2024, broke the news of an upward review of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit from ₦617 per litre to ₦897 per litre, with independent marketers selling between ₦930 to ₦1,200 per litre. The news, along with its immediate implementation, hit Nigerians of all income strata like a tsunami wave, especially those within the low and middle income brackets. These are people who were still struggling to come to terms with the increment that was occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies at the dawn of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

If you know a bit about Nigeria, you would sure be informed about the centrality of fuel to the functionality of every aspect of a Nigerian’s life. From transportation of humans, goods and services, running of businesses or electricity generation in homes, almost every activity of a Nigerian’s life is dependent on fuel. So, one can only imagine the impact of being unable to access fuel or accessing it at high costs on the lives of the ‘everyday Nigerian.’

While the challenge of navigating life at such a time persists, alongside unevenly distributed development and wide spread poverty, one cannot take away the fact that Nigerians remain naturally known for being highly industrious and resilient. Narrowing this down to our context, the Tiv woman of Northcentral Nigeria epitomes strength, diligence and hard work. These defining attributes notwithstanding, unlocking the full potentials of the Tiv women, who are not immune to the current challenges facing other Nigerians, requires a combination of factors around access to opportunities, effective networking channels, and a supportive environment. Converting the challenges into opportunities for all and sundry requires a lot of entrepreneurship dexterity, a combination of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable individuals to identify opportunities, seize them, and turn them into successful ventures. It is in a context like this that the Tiv woman looks outward for networking channels, for opportunities to not only survive, but to ensure the survival of today’s generation and the ones ahead. And in looking out, she turns towards the diaspora community, hopeful that it can play a crucial role in supporting and ensuring the growth and development of her entrepreneurship initiatives.

The Role of the Diaspora in Economic Development

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the role of diaspora communities in driving cross-border collaborations has become more pronounced than ever before. Tiv Women Diaspora communities, spread across continents, can serve as cultural and economic bridges between their homeland and their host countries. Tiv women living in the diaspora, particularly in Germany, therefore, represent a unique example of how such communities can leverage their cross-cultural identities to create valuable business partnerships between German and Tiv entrepreneurs.

Diaspora communities around the world have proven to be instrumental in the development of their home countries. They not only provide remittances but also serve as conduits for knowledge transfer, investment, and international trade. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), diaspora communities play a crucial role in facilitating business linkages, transferring skills, and fostering entrepreneurship across borders (International Organization for Migration, 2013).

Tivland, predominantly located in Benue State, Nigeria, is well known for its rich cultural heritage, with agriculture being a primary economic activity. Germany, on the other hand, is Europe’s largest economy, globally recognized for its technology, manufacturing, and industrial prowess. If Tiv women living in Germany can identify areas of collaboration and foster partnerships between Tiv women and German entrepreneurs, tremendous economic opportunities for both sides can be unlocked.

For Tiv women in Germany, this role takes on additional significance due to their unique position. They are not only able to connect Nigerian entrepreneurs to German markets but also have the capacity to introduce German businesses to untapped opportunities in Tivland. This symbiotic relationship has the potential to spur innovation, drive sustainable economic development, and create jobs in agriculture, technology, crafts, and renewable energy in both regions.

Towards an Understanding of the Tiv and German Business Landscape

According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), agriculture contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy, and its growth is key to overall economic development. The agricultural sector still provides employment to more than 70% of the population, contributing about 22.35% to the GDP (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2024).

Tivland is known as Nigeria’s “Food Basket” given its substantial agricultural production. The region produces crops like yams, rice, cassava, maize, and soybeans in large quantities, making agriculture the backbone of Benue State’s economy. Despite this, the sector is plagued by challenges such as post-harvest losses, inadequate access to markets, lack of processing facilities and limited use of modern farming techniques.

While many Tiv entrepreneurs are engaged in small-scale farming, there is significant untapped potential in agribusiness, particularly in value addition and processing. Currently, much of the region’s agricultural output is sold in raw form, missing out on the added value that comes from processing. This presents an excellent opportunity for collaboration with German businesses, particularly in areas such as food processing, agricultural technology, and logistics.

Germany, on the other hand, is known for its innovation, advanced technology, and a strong small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, known as the “Mittelstand.” These companies are often family-owned and deeply specialized in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, renewable energy, and agribusiness. Germany also has one of the most export-oriented economies in the world, (third-largest exporting nation in the world and Europe’s largest economy according to KPMG’s Economic Key Facts Germany, 2024), and German companies are always looking for new markets and growth opportunities.

Germany’s focus on sustainability and high-quality standards makes it an ideal partner for sectors like agribusiness and crafts, where Tiv entrepreneurs have much to offer. Additionally, Germany’s expertise in technology and renewable energy creates opportunities for cross-border collaboration in areas where Tivland is currently underserved, such as energy access and technology-driven agricultural solutions (Germany Trade & Invest, n.d).

Exploring Avenues for Collaboration

Agribusiness and Agricultural Technology

One of the most promising avenues for collaboration between Tiv and German entrepreneurs lies in agriculture and agribusiness. Tivland’s rich agricultural base strategically positions it for partnerships with German companies specializing in agricultural technology (agritech), machinery, and food processing.

Germany is at the forefront of innovation in agritech, particularly in areas like precision farming, irrigation systems, and post-harvest storage technologies. Tiv women in Germany could facilitate connections between Tiv farmers and German companies that offer these solutions, enabling Tiv farmers to improve yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase the value of their produce.

Post-harvest losses have been identified as a major challenge for Tiv farmers, with estimates suggesting that Nigeria loses up to 40% of its harvest due to poor storage and handling. German companies that specialize in storage and packaging technologies could provide critical solutions to this issue. For example, solar-powered cold storage systems, widely used in Germany, could be adapted for use in rural Tivland, reducing losses and ensuring that crops reach markets in prime condition.

Tiv women in Germany could also help establish agribusiness partnerships that focus on value addition. Rather than exporting raw agricultural products, Tiv entrepreneurs could collaborate with German companies to set up processing plants for products like yam flour, sesame seeds, tomatoes and fruit juices. By doing so, they can increase the profitability of their enterprises and create jobs locally. The added benefit is that processed products are easier to export and often fetch higher prices in international markets.

Textiles and Crafts: Bringing Tiv Heritage to the Global Stage

Tivland is home to a rich tradition of craftsmanship, particularly in the area of textiles. The A’nger, a black-and-white striped cloth traditionally woven by the Tiv people, is a symbol of cultural pride and identity. In recent years, there has been growing global demand for ethically produced, artisanal products, and Tiv women in the diaspora are uniquely positioned to help connect Tiv artisans with this growing market.

The fashion and craft industries in Germany have increasingly embraced sustainable and ethical sourcing. According to the World Crafts Council Europe, European consumers are showing a growing interest for artisanal and culturally significant textiles, and Tiv women could play a crucial role in connecting Tiv weavers with eco-conscious fashion brands in Germany. By working with German designers and retailers, Tiv artisans could gain access to new markets while preserving and promoting their cultural heritage (World Crafts Council Europe, 2023).

Furthermore, partnerships between Tiv artisans and German companies could lead to the creation of new products that blend traditional designs with modern tastes. This kind of cross-cultural collaboration could elevate the status of Tiv crafts on the international stage, bringing financial benefits to artisans and promoting the Tiv culture worldwide.

Technology and Skills Transfer

Germany is a global leader in technology and engineering, making it an ideal partner for the transfer of skills and technology to Tivland. Tiv women in Germany can facilitate this by organizing training programs, internships, and workshops that allow Tiv entrepreneurs to learn from German counterparts.

One key area for skills transfer is in industrial technology and engineering. Tiv entrepreneurs could benefit from learning advanced manufacturing techniques, production management, and quality control systems from German companies. For example, a Tiv entrepreneur in the agro-processing sector might spend time in a German food processing plant, learning best practices in packaging, quality control, and machinery maintenance.

In addition to transferring skills to Tivland, Tiv women in Germany could encourage German entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s burgeoning technology sector. The Nigerian tech ecosystem has grown rapidly in recent years, with startups developing innovative solutions for sectors such as finance, agriculture, and health. By bringing German expertise and investment to these areas, Tiv women could help strengthen the local tech scene, fostering innovation and economic growth in their homeland.

Renewable Energy Partnerships

Energy access is one of the most critical challenges facing Nigeria, and Tivland is no exception. According to the World Bank, as of 2021, over 85 million Nigerians lacked access to electricity, and many rural areas depend on expensive and unreliable diesel generators (World Bank, 2023). Germany, with its expertise in renewable energy, presents an ideal partner to address this issue.

Tiv women in Germany could help facilitate partnerships between German renewable energy companies and local entrepreneurs or government agencies in Tivland. Solar power, in particular, offers a promising solution for rural electrification in the region. Tiv entrepreneurs could work with German firms to establish solar farms or install solar panels in homes and businesses, providing a sustainable and reliable energy source for communities.

These partnerships could also extend to the agricultural sector. Solar-powered irrigation systems, for example, could help Tiv farmers increase their productivity, especially during dry seasons. By reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture, these systems would enable farmers to grow crops year-round, ensuring food security and boosting economic resilience.

Export of Processed Goods to Europe

Germany is one of the largest importers of agricultural products in Europe, but much of what is imported from Nigeria, including Tivland, remains in raw form. By fostering partnerships with German food processing companies, Tiv entrepreneurs could increase the value of their exports by processing agricultural goods locally before exporting them.

This presents an opportunity for Tiv women in Germany to act as intermediaries, helping to navigate the regulatory and quality standards required by the European Union. For instance, the export of yam flour, dried fruits, or sesame seeds to Germany would require strict adherence to food safety regulations, packaging standards, and certifications. Tiv women with experience in the German business landscape could assist Tiv entrepreneurs in meeting these standards and gaining access to European markets.

Furthermore, these partnerships could help Tiv entrepreneurs move up the value chain, producing finished or semi-finished goods that command higher prices in the global market. By shifting from raw commodity exports to processed goods, Tiv entrepreneurs can not only increase their profits but also create more jobs in the local economy.

Conclusion

In exploring the numerous opportunities for collaboration, some challenges like cultural differences, language barriers, and the regulatory complexities of doing business in both Nigeria and Germany have to be addressed to ensure success. Additionally, Tiv women in the diaspora must navigate the challenge of balancing their commitments in Germany with their desire to contribute to economic development in Tivland.

These challenges notwithstanding, with the right support networks, including diaspora associations, business incubators, and government programmes, Tiv women can play a pivotal role in fostering these business collaborations. Organizations like the Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA) already exist to promote trade and investment between the two countries, and Tiv women can leverage such platforms to facilitate business partnerships.

Tiv women in the diaspora, particularly those living in Germany, have a unique opportunity to foster business partnerships between German and Tiv entrepreneurs. By leveraging their cross-cultural identities and professional networks, they can help bridge the gap between these two distinct yet complementary business landscapes. Through collaborations in agribusiness, crafts, technology, renewable energy, and exports, Tiv women can unlock new economic opportunities for both regions, promoting sustainable development and creating lasting economic ties.

References

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2024). Nigeria at a glance: Nigeria Agriculture at a Glance. https://www.fao.org/nigeria/fao-in-nigeria/nigeria-at-a-glance/en/

Germany Trade & Invest. (n.d). The Machinery & Equipment Industry in Germany. https://www.gtai.de/en/invest/industries/machinery-equipment-industry-68638 

International Organization for Migration. (2013). Diaspora and Development: Bridging Societies and States. https://publications.iom.int/books/international-dialogue-migration-ndeg22-diasporas-and-development-bridging-societies-and-0

KPMG. (2024). Economic Key Facts Germany. https://kpmg.com/de/en/home/insights/overview/economic-key-facts-germany.html#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20exports%20of,share%20of%20the%20country’s%20economy.

World Bank. (2023). Nigeria to Expand Access to Clean Energy for 17.5 Million People. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/12/15/nigeria-to-expand-access-to-clean-energy-for-17-5-million-people#:~:text=Abuja%2C%20December%2014%2C%202023%20%E2%80%93,capital%20and%20significant%20parallel%20financing

World Crafts Council Europe. (2023). Characterising the European Crafts Sector: The European Market for Crafts. https://wcc-europe.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/WCCE_TheEuropeanMarketForCrafts_FullReport_lr.pdf