The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has identified post-harvest losses, weak processing capacity and inadequate storage infrastructure as key challenges limiting the value of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, as it moves to promote agro-industrialisation and productivity at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit.
The group said an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of food commodities produced in Nigeria are lost after harvest, representing significant economic value lost annually to farmers and the wider economy.
According to the NESG, inadequate processing facilities, poor storage systems and limited cold-chain infrastructure, particularly outside major urban centres, continue to constrain Nigeria’s ability to convert agricultural output into higher-value products.
The issues will form part of discussions at the Produce Nigeria track of NES #32, where manufacturers, agro-industrialists, investors, policymakers and innovators are expected to examine ways to strengthen agricultural value chains, attract investment and expand local processing.
The 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, themed “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,” is scheduled for October 26 and 27, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with virtual participation also available. (NESG)
The NESG said increasing agricultural production alone would not be sufficient to transform the sector, stressing the need for stronger processing, storage and distribution systems that connect farmers to markets.
It noted that smallholder farmers, who form a significant part of the agricultural sector, continue to face limited access to certified inputs, mechanisation and extension services, further constraining productivity.
The group identified cassava, rice, cocoa, sesame and soya as commodities with significant potential for higher-value exports if more processing is undertaken locally.
It said developing agro-processing facilities and integrated value chains could help reduce food losses, create manufacturing jobs, improve food security and reduce dependence on imported products.
The NESG also linked Nigeria’s industrialisation challenge to the limited availability of long-term financing for productive sectors. It said businesses requiring years of investment before returns are realised, including manufacturing, agro-processing and industrial infrastructure, have struggled to attract sufficient patient capital.
The summit will therefore examine development finance instruments, blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms that could encourage greater investment in productive sectors.
Manufacturing competitiveness will also feature in the discussions, with the NESG identifying high energy costs, competition from imported goods and gaps in industrial policy as some of the constraints facing local producers.
The group said Nigeria would need stronger measures around tariffs, local content, industrial financing and fiscal incentives to support value-added production and improve the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers.
It will also examine the role of Special Economic Zones and Industry 4.0 technologies in improving industrial efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s productive capacity.
The NESG said technology and innovation could further raise productivity across agriculture, manufacturing and logistics, citing opportunities in precision agriculture, digital logistics and digital payment systems.
It said Nigeria’s broader productivity challenge reflected years of inadequate investment in productive infrastructure, inefficient regulation, weak institutions and insufficient financing for priority sectors.
According to the group, addressing these constraints would require coordinated action by government and the private sector, with greater investment directed towards sectors capable of generating higher economic value.
The Produce Nigeria dialogue at NES #32 is expected to focus on how stronger agricultural value chains, industrial investment, manufacturing competitiveness and technology adoption can help Nigeria increase productivity, create jobs and expand economic value.
