Contrary to the widespread belief that digital technology was making printing obsolete, industry experts have said the sector in Nigeria was undergoing a strategic shift, with packaging, labelling and industrial printing emerging as major growth drivers amid rising manufacturing activities and changing consumer demand.
 
They noted that while digital platforms have transformed information consumption, increasing demand for packaged food, pharmaceuticals, beverages and other consumer goods was expanding the industry’s role beyond publishing into manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, retail and logistics, thereby reinforcing its position as a critical enabler of production, branding and supply chains.
 
Speaking ahead of the FLEXO EDGE 2026 conference, Technical Director, Randomsoft Ltd, Kunle Ogunjobi, said the sector remained indispensable because virtually every manufactured product requires packaging, branding or product identification before reaching consumers.
 
According to him, the industry’s relevance now extends far beyond books, newspapers and commercial printing, with packaging, flexible packaging, labels, pharmaceutical packaging and security printing emerging as its fastest-growing segments.

“The future of printing is packaging,” he said, explaining that Nigeria’s growing population, expanding consumer market and increasing industrial production would continue to drive demand for printed packaging materials.

He noted that although the industry presents significant growth opportunities, operators continue to grapple with high production costs due to their heavy reliance on imported printing presses, inks, plates, spare parts and other production inputs.

According to him, the depreciation of the naira had substantially increased operating expenses, compelling companies to reduce waste, automate production processes and improve operational efficiency to remain competitive.

Comparing Nigeria with the United Kingdom, he said both countries rely largely on imported printing technology.

However, he noted that Nigerian operators contend with additional constraints, including limited access to affordable financing, foreign exchange volatility, import duties and inadequate technical support, all of which he said raise production costs and slow investment.

He added that while Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Italy had traditionally dominated the global supply of printing equipment, China has become increasingly competitive by offering improved quality at lower prices, prompting many investors to prioritise productivity, equipment reliability and after-sales support over country of origin.

On the growing adoption of artificial intelligence, he dismissed fears that AI would replace graphic designers and other creative professionals.

Rather, he described it as a productivity tool capable of accelerating design processes, automating tasks and improving workflow efficiency.

He further urged prospective investors to align capital expenditure with market demand, noting that while entry costs range from tens of millions of naira for digital printing businesses to several billions for modern packaging plants, sustainable profitability depends on serving expanding market segments rather than simply investing in expensive equipment.

He projected that packaging, automation and sustainable production would define the next phase of the industry’s evolution.

He maintained that as long as Nigeria’s manufacturing sector continued to expand and consumer goods remained in demand, the print industry would continue to be a vital contributor to industrialisation, value addition and economic growth.