ZAT Trade Global Services Ltd has marked nearly five years of operations with a focus on boosting Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings through agro‑commodities export and supporting local farmers in northern states.
The company began in July 2020, when Tahir Zubairu Atiku returned from Canada to establish a firm that would channel sesame seed exports towards improving the national forex position. “I saw an opportunity to connect farmers in Jigawa and Kano with global buyers,” Atiku said. “Our work helps farmers earn more and helps Nigeria earn more foreign currency.”
At the core of ZAT Trade’s activity is the purchase, cleaning and export of sesame seeds. Exports of this commodity link rural production with international markets. In 2024, the firm’s shipments accounted for a share of national sesame exports, according to data from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
To sustain supply, ZAT Trade set up an outgrower programme in Hadejia, Jigawa State. Farmers receive training on farming techniques and access to higher‑yield seeds of Sudan sesame. “Training gave farmers the skills to raise output,” said community liaison officer Ibrahim Musa. “They now meet quality standards for export.”
In Kano State, ZAT Trade operates a sesame cleaning facility. Local labourers work on seed grading and packaging ahead of shipment. The facility processes thousands of tonnes of sesame annually, under export‑ready conditions. The work supports livelihoods in Kano city and surrounding areas.
Atiku’s background includes a BA in Economics from the University of Windsor and three years in Canada’s financial services sector. His experience in finance informs the company’s approach to export strategy and compliance with foreign exchange regulations.
In June 2024, Atiku attended the World Sesame & Peanut Conference in Macao, SAR China, as a Nigerian delegate. He joined experts and traders to discuss trade routes, quality control and market access. “The conference helped me understand buyer requirements and global trends,” he said.
As ZAT Trade approaches its fifth anniversary in July, plans are under way to expand the outgrower programme and introduce additional training modules. The aim is to raise output further and secure new markets for Nigerian sesame. Atiku noted that meeting international standards remains central. “We aim to sustain growth for farmers and for Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
Through these efforts, ZAT Trade Global Services Ltd seeks to link rural communities with global demand, channel export earnings into local economies and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the agro‑commodities market.
