Agrofood Nigeria 2026 to foster opportunities, collaboration for growth – Organisers

FairTrade Messe, the organisers of the AgroFood Fair, says its 11th edition will foster increased opportunities and collaboration for growth among stakeholders in the Nigerian agro sector.

The Exhibition Director at Fairtrade Messe, Ms Freyja Detjen, said this at a news briefing ahead of the fair on Thursday at Ikeja.

Supreme news reports that the 11th edition of the AgroFood Fair, West Africa’s no. 1 annual business platform for Agrofood industry, is scheduled for March 24 to 26 at the Landmark Event Centre.

The fair Organised by Fairtrade Messe in collaboration with their local partner Modion Communications, will witness thousands of professionals across Nigeria and West Africa.

The Netherlands serves as the Guest of Honour in the Agrofood Nigeria 2026 fair given its strong partnership with Nigeria and showcasing the Dutch expertise in the agrofood sector.

In her welcome address, Detjen noted that the Agrofood Nigeria 2025, provides a platform for collaboration in the agric sector.

“It is a pleasure to welcome you here for today and to see such a strong and diverse group of stakeholders in sector.

“With Agrofood Fair 2026 edition, we’re talking about exhibitions, community and about valuable business contact in the agriculture sector.

“Our passion for this job is bringing people together to create a community where people can thrive in the agric sector.

“We are providing solutions for Nigeria’s food security. We are just not a place, the Agrofood Fair is providing access to international experts you would otherwise have to fly to or you travel across the countries to see them, so we create access.

“We don’t talk about only price at the exhibition, but we talk also about the value. And it is not only about promotion, it is about education and letting people know how to use the information,” Detjen said.

According to her, Agrofood Nigeria is offering the platform for those discussions for solutions and developments in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

“And the trade fair reflects the market, the need of the market to reduce post harvest losses among other challenges in the sector.

Mr Sola Obadimu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), lauded the efforts of the organisers in fostering economic growth in Nigeria via the agriculture sector.

“I congratulate the organisers of the AgroFood Fair, they have been doing a marvelous job, which I can attest to.

“On behalf of NACCIMA, I commend Fairtrade Messe for taking the proactive step of formally registering this important exhibition with NACCIMA.

“This action reflects professionalism, adherence to established standards, and a clear commitment to delivering a credible and impactful event.

We are pleased to associate with initiatives of this nature that contribute meaningfully to national economic development.

“The agriculture and food sectors remain critical pillars of Nigeria’s economy.They are central to food security, employment generation, industrial development, export diversification, and poverty reduction,” he said.

Obadimu noted that platforms such as Agrofood Nigeria would provide invaluable opportunities for dialogue, innovation, investment, and collaboration across the entire value chain as Nigeria continues to pursue sustainable economic transformation.

“The Agrofood Nigeria 2026 Conference and Exhibition promises to bring together policymakers, farmers, processors, equipment manufacturers, technology providers, investors, researchers, and other key stakeholders from within Nigeria and beyond.

“Such gatherings are essential for sharing best practices, showcasing innovations, addressing sectorial challenges, and unlocking new opportunities in agribusiness and food processing,” Obadimu said.

On his part, the Director-General, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, represented by Mr Salami Musa, said the Agrofood Nigeria fair platform would grow the manufacturing sector of the country.

“It is with great pleasure that MAN once again lends its support to annual Agrofood Nigeria 2026 fair giving its alignment to our long standing advocacy for industrial growth, food security and local value chain, local value addition.

“This exhibition provides a direct link between Nigerian manufacturers and international technology manufacturers.

“The reality of modern manufacturing, rising costs, efficiency demands, quality, standard and global competitiveness required sustained access to world class technologies and best practices.

“While we remain optimistic that many of the structural challenges comforting our sector within the near future, the immediate tax before us is clear, collaboration, innovation and purpose, road, knowledge, acquisition and transfer,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He said the platform supports technology acquisition, the adoption of global standards in food processing and packaging and strengthening of Made in Nigeria brand through increased value addition.

Ajayi-Kadir said each of these outcomes contribute directly to economic growth, job creation and national food security.