The German Government has pledged cooperation with Nigeria to strengthen national food security, as projections indicate that the country’s food market could reach a valuation of €222 billion by 2026. 

Speaking at a networking reception in Lagos for a business delegation attending Agrofood Nigeria 2026, the German Consul-General, Daniel Krull, detailed how strategic investment in processing and logistics could transform the Nigerian food system into a driver of resilience. 

This collaboration to address critical infrastructure gaps, particularly as trade data reflected a near doubling of German exports to Nigeria, reaching $963.4 million in 2024, driven largely by machinery and agricultural inputs.

Modernising infrastructure and rethinking value chains remain critical to achieving sustainable food security in the region. Krull noted that Germany’s strengths in engineering, specifically in bottling, food processing equipment, and additives, could significantly support Nigeria’s industrialisation ambitions. 

“Better public-private alignment, improved logistics, and a change in investment mindset can turn Nigeria’s food challenges into a strength”. 

“For us, the food sector, the agri-sector is very, very important for the future of the stability and resilience of Nigeria. And we believe that German industry has a lot to offer in this regard,” Krull said.

The transformation of the sector requires a strong infusion of technology to combat the fact that more than 35 per cent of food produced locally is lost due to poor storage. 

The Managing Director of Fairtrade Messe, Paul Marz, explained that the goal of the exhibition is to promote self-sufficiency through access to modern machinery. 

“Our objective with the exhibition is to enhance self-sufficiency for the Nigerian food supply, because at the moment, large quantities of the food currently consumed in Nigeria are imported”. 

“With bringing technology into the country, we want to change that. We want to have more food produced in Nigeria, safe food produced in Nigeria,” Marz said. 

He added that improved packaging extends shelf life and makes it easier for local produce to meet international export standards.

At the policy level, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed that the Lagos food market has more than doubled since 2019, reaching over N16 trillion in value. 

However, economists such as Bismarck Rewane warned that global geopolitical tensions could still disrupt supply chains and drive up costs. 

Despite these risks, the consensus at the event remained focused on the untapped potential of the sector. 

As Krull concluded regarding the role of technology in bridging the youth gap, “A transformed agri-food system can bridge the youth gap through tech-driven jobs and modernise farms,” he said.

Source: The Nation Online