Nigeria’s persistent struggle with food insecurity, impacting over 30 million citizens, has prompted the Federal Government to intensify its efforts to attract European investment in the nation’s underdeveloped cold chain infrastructure. This strategic move aims to curb the substantial post-harvest losses, estimated at 40% of the nation’s annual food production, currently hindering the agricultural sector’s potential and exacerbating food scarcity. The 2025 Agrofood & Plastprintpack Nigeria Exhibition and Conference, held in Lagos, served as a crucial platform for this appeal, bringing together Nigerian officials and representatives from Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands to explore collaborative solutions. The event highlighted the urgency of addressing this challenge and emphasized the potential for mutual benefit through investment in cold chain development.
The Nigerian Minister for Agriculture and Food Security underscored the government’s commitment to achieving food security through enhanced agricultural productivity, improved market access, and equitable resource allocation. Recognizing the immense potential of the agricultural sector, currently hampered by inadequate cold storage facilities leading to an estimated N3.5tn in economic losses, the government emphasized the attractive investment opportunity presented by the cold chain industry. By fostering partnerships with European investors, Nigeria seeks to leverage their expertise and resources to modernize its cold chain infrastructure, reduce post-harvest losses, boost agricultural productivity, and ultimately improve food security for its growing population.
Representatives from European nations expressed their strong interest in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural development. Germany, identifying Nigeria as a priority country for agricultural cooperation, reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating on political, scientific, and economic aspects of agriculture. The Netherlands, with a long-standing partnership with Nigeria in the agrofood sector, pledged its continued support in facilitating opportunities to enhance the nation’s agricultural landscape. These commitments signal a promising potential for synergistic partnerships that could significantly transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector and bolster its food security efforts.
Lagos State, recognizing its crucial role as a major agribusiness and manufacturing hub, highlighted the significance of the exhibition in light of Nigeria’s projected population growth and the anticipated increase in food demand. With the expectation of becoming Africa’s largest consumer market by 2050, Lagos emphasized the strategic importance of investing in the food sector to meet future needs. The state government’s active participation in the event demonstrated its commitment to fostering a conducive environment for investment and collaboration in the agricultural sector.
The Agrofood & Plastprintpack Nigeria Exhibition, marking its 10th anniversary, showcased its established role as a significant platform for innovation and collaboration within the agro-food and manufacturing sectors. Bringing together exhibitors from across Europe, Asia, and Africa, the event facilitated networking and knowledge sharing, creating a fertile ground for fostering partnerships and driving growth in the Nigerian agricultural landscape. The event’s success further underscores the growing international interest in Nigeria’s agricultural potential and the increasing recognition of the need for collaborative efforts to address food insecurity.
In conclusion, the 2025 Agrofood & Plastprintpack Nigeria Exhibition and Conference served as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity. The event’s focus on attracting European investment in cold chain infrastructure highlighted a crucial area for intervention and underscored the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships. With commitments from both Nigerian officials and European representatives, the event signifies a promising step towards modernizing the agricultural sector, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring food security for a rapidly growing population. The continued success of the Agrofood & Plastprintpack Exhibition as a hub for innovation and collaboration will play a vital role in facilitating the transformative changes needed to achieve a food-secure future for Nigeria.
