The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has identified post-harvest losses, inadequate processing capacity and weak storage infrastructure as major constraints limiting the growth and value of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The group said an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of food commodities produced in Nigeria are lost after harvest, resulting in significant economic losses 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 hinder the country’s ability to convert agricultural output into higher-value products.
The issues are expected to feature prominently at the Produce Nigeria track of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #32), where manufacturers, agro-industrialists, investors, policymakers and innovators will explore strategies to strengthen agricultural value chains, attract investment and expand local processing.
The summit, themed “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,” is scheduled to hold on October 26 and 27, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with virtual participation also available.
The NESG said boosting agricultural production alone would not be enough to transform the sector, stressing the need to strengthen processing, storage and distribution systems that effectively connect farmers to markets.
It also noted that smallholder farmers, who constitute a significant segment of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, continue to face limited access to certified inputs, mechanization and extension services, thereby constraining productivity.
The group identified cassava, rice, cocoa, sesame and soya as commodities with strong potential for higher-value exports if more processing is carried out locally.
It said investment in agro-processing facilities and integrated value chains could reduce food losses, create manufacturing jobs, strengthen food security and reduce dependence on imported products.
The NESG further linked Nigeria’s industrialization challenges to limited access to long-term financing for productive sectors. It said businesses in areas such as manufacturing, agro-processing and industrial infrastructure, which often require years of investment before generating returns, have struggled to attract sufficient patient capital.
Consequently, the summit will examine development finance instruments, blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms aimed at encouraging 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 major constraints confronting local producers.
The group said stronger measures on tariffs, local content, industrial financing and fiscal incentives would be required 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.
According to the NESG, technology and innovation could further boost productivity across agriculture, manufacturing and logistics, with opportunities in areas such as precision agriculture, digital logistics and digital payment systems.
The group said Nigeria’s broader productivity challenge was linked to years of inadequate investment in productive infrastructure, inefficient regulation, weak institutions and insufficient financing for priority sectors.
It stressed that addressing these constraints would require coordinated action between the government and private sector, alongside increased investment in sectors capable of generating greater economic value.
The Produce Nigeria dialogue at NES #32 is expected to examine how stronger agricultural value chains, industrial investment, manufacturing competitiveness and technology adoption can help Nigeria raise productivity, create jobs and expand economic value.
