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By Emma Njoku
Policymakers, manufacturers, buyers, investors, technology providers, and development partners are gearing up for the 11th edition of the West Africa agro-alied industry platform, agrofood Nigeria 2026, to advance the next phase of Nigeria’s agro-industrial transformation.
The show and conference will take place at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island Lagos, from March 24 to 26. Ms Freyja Detjen of Fairtrade Messe said
Nigeria’s ambition to build a competitive, industrialised food economy is entering a decisive phase, defined by the need to reduce food imports, stabilise food inflation, and convert agricultural output into scalable, export-ready value chains. “While agriculture accounts for over 22% of Nigeria’s GDP, limited processing capacity and persistent post-harvest losses continue to constrain value creation, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings”, she said.
She added that the Netherlands, one of the world’s most advanced agri-food economies and the second-largest agricultural exporter globally, will headline agrofood Nigeria 2026 as guest of honour and lead country pavilion exhibitor.
“Dutch participation will spotlight globally proven solutions across food processing, cold chain logistics, horticulture, seed technology, packaging, and sustainable production systems, offering practical pathways for Nigeria’s agro-industrial scale-up.”
The organisers also disclosed that the 2026 edition will host exhibitors from more than 15 countries, reinforcing agrofood Nigeria’s position as West Africa’s most international, decision-led agro-industrial marketplace. Confirmed country pavilions include Netherlands –Guest of Honour & Lead Pavilion; Germany –Food processing and packaging engineering; China –Processing machinery, automation, and packaging technologies; Belgium –Precision farming, food processing innovation, and sustainable circular production systems, and South Africa –Western Cape Pavilion showcasing regional capabilities.
These national showcases provide structured entry points for technology transfer, partnerships, and investment across Nigeria’s food and agro-allied value chains.
Speakers at the event include
Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Nigeria’s leading macroeconomic research and financial advisory firm.
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Rewane will deliver a data-driven macroeconomic outlook for agribusiness and food manufacturing, examining inflation dynamics, FX exposure, cost of capital, consumer demand, and investment signals shaping Nigeria’s food and agro-allied industries.
On the second day, Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director, Research and Trade Intelligence at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), will headline discussions on trade, data, and Africa’s agro-industrial growth trajectory, linking macroeconomic conditions, trade finance, policy coherence, and enterprise competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking on the strategic direction of the 2026 edition, Paul Maerz, Managing Director, fairtrade messe, organisers of agrofood Nigeria, said, “Nigeria’s food challenge is no longer about production alone. The decisive question is how quickly the country can industrialise its food system, reduce losses, deepen processing, and meet international quality standards. The Netherlands’ leadership at this edition reflects agrofood Nigeria’s focus on practical, scalable solutions.”
Also commenting, Odion Aleobua, Conference and Exhibitor Partner for agrofood Nigeria, noted that “the 11th edition marks a 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.”
The Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), a key partner for agrofood Nigeria 2026, Engr. Olushola Obadimu, also commented, “This exhibition is particularly timely. As we confront issues ranging from climate change and rising production costs to post-harvest losses and limited market access, there is an 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.”
Also speaking, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MNI, Director General of Manufacturers Association (MAN) of Nigeria remarked: “The agrofood Exhibition offers a direct and practical bridge between Nigerian manufacturers and international technology providers, enabling access to solutions that can transform unanticipated local production. Specifically, this platform supports technology acquisition, the adoption of global standards in food processing and packaging, and the strengthening of the Made-in-Nigeria brand through increased value addition. Each of these outcomes contributes directly to economic growth, job creation, and national food security.”
Speaking on Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s (LCCI) partnership with fairtrade Messe, Dr. Chinyere Almon, Director General of LCCI, said, “The agrofood Nigeria International Tradeshow and Exhibition, presents a vital opportunity to bring together critical stakeholders whose collaboration and organisational integration will advance food security in Nigeria and significantly enhance production quality across the agricultural value chain.”
Speakers at the event include
Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director/CEO of Financial Derivatives Company Limited; Dr Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist at Afreximbank and former Statistician-General of Nigeria.
agrofood Nigeria is West Africa’s annual business platform for the agrofood industry, connecting processors, manufacturers, agribusinesses, policymakers, financiers, and solution providers across processing, packaging, cold chain, inputs, and value-chain optimisation.
