Nigeria’s expanding agricultural sector is attracting renewed interest from foreign machinery manufacturers and suppliers, many of whom are preparing to showcase advanced equipment and processing technologies at the 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria 2026.
The three-day conference and exhibition, scheduled for March 24 to 26 at the Landmark Event Centre, will convene policymakers, manufacturers, buyers, investors, technology providers and development partners to chart the next phase of the country’s agro-industrial transformation.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the event, Freyja Detjen, exhibition director at Fairtrade Messe, said global technology leaders from several countries will present cutting-edge solutions tailored to the Nigerian and West African markets. Exhibits will span agriculture, food and beverage processing, plastics, packaging and related value chains.
According to Detjen, the platform goes beyond commercial exchange. “We are not just a place, but access to international experts you would otherwise have travelled to see,” she said, emphasising that the exhibition promotes knowledge transfer, education and value creation, rather than price competition alone.
She added that Agrofood Nigeria reflects the evolving needs of the domestic market, particularly the drive to reduce post-harvest losses and address structural inefficiencies within the agricultural sector. The fair, she noted, is designed to foster collaboration and practical solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s food security framework.
Industry Groups Back Platform
Sola Obadimu, director-general of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), described agriculture as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, central to employment generation, export diversification and poverty reduction.
He said platforms such as Agrofood Nigeria provide vital opportunities for dialogue, innovation and investment across the entire agricultural value chain. “Such gatherings are essential for sharing best practices, showcasing innovations, addressing sectoral challenges and unlocking new opportunities in agribusiness and food processing,” Obadimu stated.
Similarly, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said the exhibition aligns with the association’s advocacy for industrial growth, local value addition and food security. Represented at the briefing by Salami Musa, Ajayi-Kadir noted that modern manufacturing demands sustained access to world-class technologies and global best practices.
He stressed that collaboration, innovation and knowledge transfer are immediate priorities for strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing base. The platform, he said, supports technology acquisition, adoption of international standards in food processing and packaging, and reinforcement of the “Made in Nigeria” brand.
Netherlands to Headline Event
The Netherlands — one of the world’s most advanced agri-food economies and the second-largest agricultural exporter globally — will participate as Guest of Honour and Lead Country Pavilion Exhibitor.
Dutch exhibitors are expected to spotlight proven solutions in food processing, cold chain logistics, horticulture, seed technology, packaging and sustainable production systems. Organisers say the participation offers practical models to support Nigeria’s agro-industrial scale-up and deepen bilateral cooperation.
With rising investor interest and a growing push for mechanisation and value addition, Agrofood Nigeria 2026 is poised to serve as a key meeting point for stakeholders seeking to modernise the country’s agricultural landscape and enhance its competitiveness within West Africa.