Policymakers, local manufacturers, international technology providers, development partners and investors are set to drive the next phase of Nigeria’s agro-industrial transformation, with renewed focus on reducing food imports, stabilising food inflation and converting agricultural output into scalable, export-ready value chains.

The stakeholders will converge at the Agrofood Nigeria Tradeshow and Conference, where discussions will also centre on addressing limited processing capacity and persistent post-harvest losses—challenges that continue to constrain value creation, job generation and foreign-exchange earnings in a sector that contributes over 22 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Now in its 11th edition, the conference—West Africa’s leading agrofood and agro-allied industry platform—is scheduled to hold from March 24 to 26 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island Annex, Lagos.

Organised by Fairtrade Messe, the event will host exhibitors from more than 15 countries, reinforcing Agrofood Nigeria’s status as the region’s most international, decision-driven agro-industrial marketplace.

The organisers announced that the Netherlands—one of the world’s most advanced agri-food economies and the second-largest agricultural exporter globally—will serve as the headline country.

According to them, Dutch participation will showcase globally tested solutions in food processing, cold-chain logistics, horticulture, seed technology, packaging and sustainable production systems, offering practical pathways for scaling Nigeria’s agro-industrial capacity.

Other participating countries, including Germany, China, Belgium and South Africa, are expected to provide structured entry points for technology transfer, partnerships and investment across Nigeria’s food and agro-allied value chains.

Key speakers at the conference include Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, and Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist at Afreximbank. They will address issues ranging from production efficiency and industrial competitiveness to macroeconomic trends, food inflation, trade, investment signals, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and export-led industrial growth.

Speaking on the strategic direction of the 2026 edition, Managing Director of Fairtrade Messe, Paul Maerz, said Nigeria’s food challenge has moved beyond production to the urgent need for rapid food-system industrialisation.

“Nigeria’s food challenge is no longer about production alone, but about how quickly the country can industrialise its food system, reduce losses, deepen processing and meet international quality standards,” Maerz said, adding that the Netherlands’ leadership reflects the event’s focus on practical and scalable solutions.

Also commenting, Conference and Exhibitor Partner for Agrofood Nigeria, Odion Aleobua, said the 11th edition marks a decisive shift from potential to execution.

“Nigeria’s agro-industrial future will be shaped by policy clarity, private capital, technology adoption and trade readiness. Agrofood Nigeria is designed as a serious business platform where those decisions are advanced,” he said.

Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Olushola Obadimu, described the exhibition as timely, especially as the country grapples with climate change, rising production costs, post-harvest losses and limited market access.

He stressed the urgent need for practical solutions, modern technologies and strategic partnerships.

“Events like Agrofood Nigeria create the right environment for meaningful conversations to translate into actionable outcomes,” Obadimu said.

Similarly, Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said the exhibition provides a direct and practical bridge between Nigerian manufacturers and international technology providers.

According to him, the platform supports technology acquisition, adoption of global standards in food processing and packaging, and the strengthening of the Made-in-Nigeria brand through increased value addition—outcomes that directly contribute to economic growth, job creation and national food security.

On Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (LCCI) partnership with Fairtrade Messe, LCCI Director-General, Dr. Chinyere Almona, said the event offers a vital opportunity to unite key stakeholders whose collaboration will advance food security and significantly improve production quality across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.