Nigeria and Vietnam have entered into a historic partnership to deepen cooperation in cashew production, processing, and trade, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) and the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN). The pact was formalised during the 14th VINACAS Golden Cashew Rendezvous 2025, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from October 26–28, in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Vietnamese Cashew Association. VINACAS President, Mr. Pham Van Cong, signed on behalf of Vietnam, while Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, President of NCAN, represented Nigeria during the official signing ceremony. According to the joint communiqué issued after the event, the agreement is expected to enhance bilateral business exchange, promote technology transfer, and position both nations as major players in the global cashew value chain. Mr. Pham noted that VINACAS, with over 500 member companies, represents Vietnam’s leading cashew processors, exporters, importers, and growers, stressing the association’s commitment to sharing expertise and best practices with Nigeria. He stated that the BSOs will collaboratively engage the global and regional cashew organisations to specifically collaborate and advocate for better policies that promote the activities of the private sector. Speaking on behalf of Nigeria, Dr. Ajanaku described the agreement as a breakthrough for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, especially the non-oil export economy. He revealed that Nigeria exported cashew worth $20 million to Vietnam in 2025, noting that the new partnership will ease production, enhance value addition, and expand market access for Nigerian cashew. According to him, Nigeria’s Kogi cashew was specially recognised at the conference as the most nutritious in the world — a status that the new MoU seeks to leverage through product diversification and technology-driven processing. Also Read Eid-El-Kabir: NSCDC deploys 28,000 tactical operatives nationwide, assures peaceful celebration “Kogi cashew has the best nutrients and flavour globally. One of the focus areas of our collaboration with Vietnam is to develop cashew-based juice production. Through this technology exchange, we intend to harness the by-products and create new export opportunities for Nigeria,” Ajanaku said. He added that the machinery and expertise coming from Vietnam would support Nigeria’s efforts to build local processing capacity and increase output, thereby contributing to economic diversification and rural employment. The event also attracted key Nigerian stakeholders, including Muhammed Tukur Usman, Director, FDA-FMAS; Mr. Babagana Musti, representative of NEXIM Bank; Jude Osilama and Evidence Iyamu, NCAN exporters; Mr. Victor Omofaiye, DG of KOSCEPA; Alh Abu Muhammed Kabir, NCAN Financial Secretary and Tchidi Okike Zacchaeus. a merchant farmer. Vietnam is the highest producers of cashew, producing 40 per cent of the world’s cashew production globally