Directorate of Technical Co-operation in Africa
| Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2001 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Nigeria |
| Headquarters | Plot 894, No 11, Onitsha Crescent (Facing Gimbiya Street), Area 11, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria[1] |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria)[2] |
| Website | https://dtca.gov.ng/ |
The Directorate of Technical Co-operation in Africa (DTCA) is a Nigerian government agency under the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria). It promotes technical cooperation, professional exchange, and capacity-building initiatives between Nigeria and other African states, particularly in development-critical sectors such as agriculture, climate change policy, science and technology. The directorate was established in 2001 to support sustainable development and regional integration across Africa by deploying expertise and facilitating partnerships among governments, research institutions and multilateral organisations.[3][4]
History
DTCA was established in 2001 by the Government of Nigeria to harness African professional expertise for development projects and policy work across the continent, as part of broader South–South cooperation goals. The directorate’s creation was linked to strategies aimed at mitigating professional emigration (“brain drain”) by facilitating “brain gain” and “brain circulation” through structured deployment of experts in various fields.[3]
Mandate and Programmes
DTCA’s mandate covers a spectrum of activities including the Scientific and Technical Exchange Programme (STEP), expert database management, advocacy efforts, collaboration with organisations, capacity development programmes, and project-driven technical engagements.[3]
Scientific and Technical Exchange Programme (STEP) and Nigeria Technical Cooperation Fund (NTCF)
A key DTCA programme is the Scientific and Technical Exchange Programme (STEP), supported through the Nigeria Technical Cooperation Fund (NTCF), a grant facility managed jointly by DTCA and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Established with an initial US$25 million to finance technical cooperation projects, the NTCF facilitates the deployment of seasoned African professionals to partner countries to address development needs.[5][6]
Capacity Building, Agriculture and Research Partnerships
DTCA undertakes capacity-building and skills acquisition programmes focusing on youth empowerment and professional training, including collaborative efforts with the AfDB to provide practical skills development across African countries.[4]
In the agricultural sector, DTCA has partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a leading CGIAR research centre, to support agricultural development and promote sustainable food systems in Africa. This partnership is part of broader research and extension cooperation aimed at improving agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of evolving climate and economic challenges.[7]
Additionally, DTCA has been associated with initiatives aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience and policy frameworks that draw on continental research studies on climate-resilient agricultural systems, including works that examine strategies for sustaining food security under climate variability in Africa. (See: Strengthening Africa’s Agricultural Resilience.)[8]
Climate Change Policy and Legislative Workshops
DTCA has convened and participated in high-level consultative workshops on climate change policy and legislation with partners including UNESCO, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Proceedings from the UNESCO/DTCA/AU/ECOWAS Regional Parliamentarian Workshop Series III highlight the directorate’s engagement with lawmakers and stakeholders on climate policy and governance for sustainable development.[9]
Partnerships and Collaborations
DTCA’s work involves partnerships with multilateral, regional, and research institutions. These include collaborations with the AfDB, UNESCO, regional economic communities, and agricultural research networks aimed at enhancing policy dialogue, technical cooperation, and capacity building across Africa.[3]
Organisation and Leadership
DTCA functions as a parastatal under Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its leadership team is headed by the Director-General, currently Col. Garba Moyi Isa (Rtd.), and includes directors and programme managers in key operational portfolios.[3]
Impact and Activities
DTCA’s programmes have supported skills development initiatives, agriculture-focused research cooperation, climate change policy engagement, and professional deployment across sectors critical to sustainable development in Africa. Activities such as youth training programmes and agricultural partnerships demonstrate its role in translating technical cooperation into practical outcomes.[4][7]
See also
References
- ^ "Contact Us". DTCA. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "DTCA Official Website". DTCA. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Africa Development Bank has organized a skill acquisition and capacity building programme". Daily Trust. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Programmes". DTCA. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Nigeria Technical Cooperation Fund celebrates first ten-year life cycle (2004-2014)". African Development Bank. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b "DTCA partner with IITA in promoting agriculture in Africa". Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Strengthening Africa's Agricultural Resilience". Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN AFRICA (DTCA) Proceedings of UNESCO/DTCA/AU/ECOWAS Parliament Quadra-Partite Consultative Workshop on Climate Change Policy & Legislation". Environmental Law Research Institute. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Nigerian Technical Aid Corps". Retrieved 1 March 2026.