The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced plans for the Agricultural Mechanisation for Export-Quality Products in Africa Expo 2026, a new platform to attract major investments into Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with projected commitments of up to $500 million in its early stages.
President of the chamber, Emeka Obegolu, said the initiative shows how agriculture is being positioned in Nigeria, from small-scale subsistence farming and food security concerns to large-scale commercial agriculture capable of generating foreign exchange and creating jobs.
He was represented at a press conference in Abuja by the chamber’s Second Deputy President, Aliyu Hong.
“As you are aware, agriculture is one of the major businesses we promote as a chamber. But beyond food security, we see agriculture as a business. Our duty is to improve the sector and make it attractive for investment so it can generate revenue,” he said.
He explained that while previous programmes such as Farm4Tech focused mainly on agricultural innovation, AGROMEQA Expo 2026 is designed as a broader platform that will focus on mechanisation, agribusiness financing, and attracting investors into the sector.
The goal is to improve productivity through the use of modern equipment, climate-smart technologies, and increased financial support for agribusinesses.
According to Obegolu, the initiative is expected to support Nigeria’s ambition of moving from a food-importing country to a net exporter of agricultural products.
He said expanding commercial agriculture would help diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil revenue.
“In the past, emphasis was on local consumption. Now, we want to commercialise agriculture, expand opportunities, and ensure it becomes a major non-oil export sector and a reliable source of foreign exchange,” Obegolu said.
He noted that Nigeria has the land, climate, and population needed to become a major agricultural producer if the right investments are made in farm equipment, technology, and infrastructure.
“We have the capacity, we have the land, and we have the population. What we need now is the right investment, technology, and mechanisation to drive this vision,” he stated.
Obegolu said large-scale agricultural transformation cannot happen with outdated farming methods, stressing that serious capital investment is needed to improve yields and make Nigerian agriculture globally competitive.
“You cannot become a mechanised agricultural economy with hoes and cutlasses and expect to feed the world. It requires huge investment in innovation, technology, and finance,” he added.
He also addressed structural challenges affecting agricultural productivity, including farmer-herder conflicts, which he said are often driven by competition over land and grazing routes.
According to him, better land planning and investment in modern farming systems can help reduce tensions and create more organised agricultural production systems.
“Farmers and herders are partners in the same ecosystem. With proper planning, there will be enough room for everyone. What we see today is competition due to a lack of structure and investment,” he said.
Obegolu added that mechanised agriculture could also reduce pressure on land by increasing efficiency, while creating jobs across manufacturing, logistics, and agribusiness services.
He explained that stronger agricultural productivity could improve incomes, reduce poverty, and create wider economic opportunities as more people move into related sectors beyond farming.
Executive Director of the Abuja Trade Centre, Ezekwesili Nnam, said discussions with investors have already shown strong interest in the initiative.
“From ongoing conversations around term sheets and proposals, we are looking at an average of $500 million for a start after the maiden edition. We expect even more results,” he said.
