At the 2025 FANFARTECH Expo, Africa’s agricultural story took a major leap forward as key institutions, including the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), unveiled new strategies to turn Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential into practical and profitable projects. The event, themed “Technology, Finance and Sustainability in Agribusiness,” brought together both public and private leaders determined to close the gap between innovation and real results.
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Afreximbank’s Acting Regional Chief Operating Officer, Alain Thierry Mbongue, revealed the bank’s expanded plans to help Africa shift from exporting raw farm produce to selling value-added goods. He noted that agriculture contributes about 30 percent of Africa’s GDP and employs over 60 percent of its workforce, showing its huge potential for transformation.
The bank’s approach focuses on two main areas: financing and quality assurance. Through its subsidiaries, it now provides project support, long-term financing, and agribusiness insurance to help producers grow sustainably. To boost exports, Afreximbank is also expanding its Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) network beyond Sagamu in Ogun State to new facilities in Kaduna and Imo States. These centers will ensure Nigerian agricultural exports meet global standards.
Dr. Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the urgency for reform. He said that food security is not just about having enough food, but about access, nutrition, and sustainability. He called for wider use of mechanization, digital farming, and modern value-chain systems to increase productivity and fight malnutrition.
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Representing the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Alhaji Abubakar Musa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to innovation in farming. He announced a N1.5 trillion recapitalization plan for the Bank of Agriculture to make credit more available to small farmers. He also mentioned plans to strengthen the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation to reduce risks for agribusinesses.
Expo Chairman Tony Ejinkeoye summed up the vision by saying that bridging the gap between farms and markets requires a united approach. With finance, technology, and sustainability now working together, Nigeria’s agricultural transformation is no longer a dream but an achievable goal.
