AFEX and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) have emphasised the pivotal role of capital market operators in boosting engagement within the commodities value chain, amid renewed efforts to transform Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
This position was announced during the recently concluded CEO Breakfast Forum, which brought together industry leaders from the financial and agricultural sectors to explore strategies for accelerating agricultural growth.
The call for stronger collaboration between capital market players and stakeholders in the food value chain aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda to make agriculture a profitable and self-sustaining sector.
This was underscored during the President’s 26th Democracy Day speech, where he pledged to work with a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders to drive investment into the agricultural sector.
The CEO Forum convened key stakeholders across the capital and financial markets, including regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to examine how capital market operators can contribute to national food security.
Discussions centred on unlocking patient capital through innovative alternative investment instruments to boost participation in the commodities market.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CIS, Ayo Adeonipekun, reiterated the Institute’s commitment to agriculture, stating that the sector currently accounts for a significant portion of Nigeria’s GDP.
He highlighted the strong link between capital markets and economic development through targeted investments in the agricultural sector.
“The CIS has, over the years, worked closely with the government to drive GDP growth through agricultural development. We remain committed to collaborating with commodities players like AFEX to achieve that goal,” Adeonipekun said.
Similarly, the President and Chief Executive Officer of AFEX Nigeria, Akinyinka Akintunde, described food security as a national priority that demands urgent and collective action.
He emphasised that the capital market plays a vital role, not only by unlocking financing, but also by driving innovation and transparency in the commodities market, which serves as a conduit for channelling investment into the sector.
“With this support, we are improving access to structured financing, which ultimately scales production capacity to meet the country’s food needs,” Akintunde said.
He added that the partnership between public and private sector players is instrumental in stimulating liquidity and participation in Nigeria’s commodities market, fostering an ecosystem where smallholder farmers, traders, and institutional investors can thrive.
