DEADLINE: 21ST NOVEMBER, 2025
CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA
BUREAU OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (BPPP)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREENFIELD COCOA AND COFFEE ESTATES IN CROSS RIVER STATE
Executive Summary
The Cross River State Government (CRSG) invites expression of interest from reputable private investors—both local and international—to participate in the development, financing, and operation of eight (8) large-scale cocoa and coffee estates across designated local government areas under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework; Anchored on the State’s 7-Year Coffee and Cocoa Sector Strategic Plan (2025 – 2032), the initiative seeks to transform the State into a regional hub for sustainable tree-crop agribusiness while ensuring inclusive growth, equitable benefit sharing, and alignment with global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Cross River State Government (CRSG), through the Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation Services and the Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP) consistent with its 7-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2032) for Coffee and Cocoa Sector Development, hereby invites qualified private investors to express interest in the development, financing, and operation of eight (8) large-scale cocoa and coffee estates across designated local government areas in the State under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
This RfEOI is being issued in accordance with the Cross River State PPP Law and the Public Procurement Law, in alignment with international PPP and sustainability frameworks which promotes transparent, competitive, and inclusive investment processes consistent with global best practices and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
2. PROJECT SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE
2.1 Scope of the Project
The project entails the design, development, financing, and operation of eight (8) new cocoa and coffee estates, each with a minimum of 1,000 hectares, located in:
The specific project scope includes:
Establishment of eight (8) new tree crop estates (cocoa and coffee) of a minimum of 1,000 hectares each across the following Local Government Areas:
* Akamkpa
* Akpabuyo
* Bekwarra
* Etung
* Ikom
* Obanliku
* Obubra
* Odukpani
Each estate shall incorporate:
- Modern seedling nurseries and input centres
- Farmhouses, security outposts, and internal access roads
- Drip or sprinkler irrigation systems and mechanized tools
- Deployment of climate-smart and digital agriculture technologies
- Inclusive community models, integrating gender, youth, and vulnerable groups.
- Input support programs for planting materials and agrochemicals
- Inclusive design and participation models for local communities, including capacity development and benefit sharing.
- Establishment of processing and value-addition facilities.
Proposed benefit-sharing (offtake rights) structure:
- Core Investor: 65% of cocoa pods or coffee cherries
- Smallholder In-growers: 35% of cocoa pods/coffee cherries
Concession Tenure: up to 25 years (DBFOT model) with Right of First Refusal upon expiration, subject to performance review.
2.2 Project Objectives
Promote sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture and rural livelihoods
Align with global Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks and responsible-investment frameworks.
Position Cross River State as a leading cocoa and coffee hub in West Africa
Attract long-term private capital to rural infrastructure and agro-industrial development
Facilitate inclusive growth, ensuring mutual benefits for host communities, government, and investors.
Foster inclusive public private collaboration and equitable value distribution
Support industrialization through processing, marketing, and export linkages.
3. PPP and Governance Framework
The estates shall be developed under a Design–Build–Finance–Operate–Transfer (DBFOT) concession governed by a formal Concession Agreement between the selected Core Investor and the Cross River State Government.
A Project Steering and Monitoring Committee will provide oversight, comprising representatives of:
Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation Services
Bureau of Public–Private Partnership (BPPP)
Host Local Governments / Traditional Institutions
Core Investor(s)
Community-based Civil Society Organizations
Governance will adhere to international PPP standards, including clear performance indicators, grievance redress procedures, and periodic ESG audits.
All project development activities will be carried out in accordance with the Cross River State PPP Law, the State 7-Year Strategic Plan for Coffee and Cocoa Sector Development (2025–2032), and ESG-aligned environmental and social safeguards.
4. ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested entities should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) containing the following information:
(a) Company Profile:
- Full legal name and country of registration
- Corporate ownership structure, expatriate quota (where applicable) and corporate profile
- Relevant experience in large-scale tree crop/agro-industrial projects (preferably cocoa/coffee) development
(b) Technical & Commercial Feasibility:
- Detailed technical feasibility study with detailed 20-year agronomic regeneration and implementation plan
- Commercial analysis with clear value proposition
- Electronic financial model (Excel-based), showing CAPEX, OPEX, Project payback and related metrics.
(c) Business Plan:
- Clear and realistic project implementation Gantt chart (with milestone activities) to include projected detailed timeline for value addition.
- Agronomic productivity and climate sensitivity analysis
(d) Financial Capability:
- Evidence of minimum investment capability of up to NGN 10 Billion (or USD equivalent)
- Ability to escrow 2% of the estimated project lifecycle cost (as mobilization / commitment guarantee) in a non-checking interest-yielding account as may be advised by the Accountant General of the State upon emergence as preferred bidder. The escrowed amount shall be released in full to the Concessionaire upon satisfactory mobilization to the project site, following the execution of the Concession Agreement.
- Recent audited financial statements (past 3 years)
(e) Legal and Regulatory Documentation:
- Bid Security from a reputable deposit money bank in Nigeria
- Registration with the Cross River State Due Process & Price Intelligence Bureau
- Tax Clearance Certificate (2022, 2023, and 2024)
- Local Government Certificate of Origin, duly endorsed by a Village Head or Clan Head of the Company Director’s community in the case of bids from project host communities
5. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
All EOIs must be clearly marked: “Expression of Interest – PPP Cocoa & Coffee Estates Development – Cross River State” and delivered in both hard and electronic formats (USB drive or email) not later than: Friday, November 21, 2025, By 4:00 PM WAT
To:
The Director General
Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP)
Davandy House,
43, Murtala Mohammed Way, Calabar
(Electronic submissions would not be accepted).
6. DISCLAIMER
This RfEOI does not constitute a solicitation to tender. The State Government reserves the right to verify all claims, reject any or all submissions, and to proceed to the next procurement stage (Request for Proposal – RfP) only with shortlisted and pre-qualified firms.
For any further clarification, please contact the BPPP Office via the above address.
Signed:
Director General
Cross River State Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP)
