By Lanre Shodimu
As Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil, stakeholders in the private sector are shifting focus toward large-scale, investment-driven agriculture. With mechanisation and export competitiveness now at the centre of policy and business conversations, a new continental platform is emerging to reposition Africa’s agricultural value chain for global markets.
The nation’s agricultural transformation may be on the cusp of a defining moment as the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) unveils plans for a major continental expo aimed at repositioning agriculture as a high-value, export-driven sector.
The Agricultural Mechanisation for Export-Quality Products in Africa Expo 2026 (AGROMEQA) is being positioned as more than just an industry gathering—it is a strategic investment platform expected to attract up to $500 million in initial commitments while redefining how agriculture is perceived and practised across the country.
President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, who was represented at a press briefing in Abuja by the chamber’s Second Deputy President, Aliyu Hong, described the initiative as a deliberate shift away from subsistence farming toward large-scale commercial agriculture capable of generating foreign exchange.
For decades, agriculture in Nigeria has largely been framed around food security and rural livelihoods. However, the ACCI believes the sector holds far greater potential as a revenue-generating enterprise—one that can rival oil in economic significance if properly harnessed.
“At the heart of our agenda is the need to make agriculture attractive for serious investment,” Obegolu said. “Beyond feeding the population, the sector must now be positioned as a business capable of driving national income.”
This vision marks a progression from earlier interventions such as Farm4Tech, which focused primarily on innovation. In contrast, AGROMEQA Expo 2026 adopts a broader outlook—integrating mechanisation, agribusiness financing, and large-scale investment mobilisation in collaboration with government agencies and industry stakeholders.
The goal is clear: to transition Nigeria from a food-importing nation into a competitive exporter of agricultural products. Achieving this, however, will require more than policy rhetoric. It demands a complete overhaul of traditional farming practices.
Obegolu was unequivocal on this point. “You cannot build a modern agricultural economy using hoes and cutlasses and expect to compete globally,” he said. “Mechanisation, technology, and finance are critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.”
Across the globe, several countries have successfully leveraged agriculture as a major source of foreign exchange. With its vast arable land, favourable climate, and large population, Nigeria possesses the natural advantages to replicate such success. Yet, these resources remain underutilised due to limited investment and structural inefficiencies.
The ACCI’s strategy hinges on closing this gap—connecting investors with opportunities in mechanised farming, processing, and export-oriented production. Early signals suggest strong market appetite. According to Ezekwesili Nnam, Executive Director of the Abuja Trade Centre, preliminary discussions with investors have already generated significant interest.
“From ongoing engagements around term sheets and proposals, we are looking at an average of $500 million as a starting point after the maiden edition,” he revealed, adding that expectations are even higher in the long term.
Beyond investment mobilisation, the initiative also seeks to address long-standing structural challenges within the agricultural ecosystem. Chief among these is the persistent conflict between farmers and herders—a crisis often driven by competition over land and grazing resources.
Obegolu argues that the problem is less about incompatibility and more about poor organisation. With proper land-use planning, modern livestock systems, and increased investment, both groups can coexist productively.
“Farmers and herders are part of the same ecosystem,” he noted. “What we see today is competition arising from a lack of structure. With the right systems in place, there will be enough room for everyone.”
Mechanisation, he added, will play a critical role in easing this tension by improving productivity and reducing pressure on land. It will also create new opportunities beyond farming, particularly in manufacturing and services linked to the agricultural value chain.
This broader economic ripple effect is central to the ACCI’s long-term vision. In developed economies, agriculture historically served as a foundation for industrialisation before gradually employing a smaller share of the population. Nigeria, Obegolu suggests, must follow a similar trajectory.
“In the short term, agriculture should be a major employer and economic driver,” he explained. “But as productivity improves, labour can shift into higher-value sectors like manufacturing and services.”
Such a transition would not only boost national income but also enhance purchasing power, reduce poverty, and stimulate inclusive growth. Importantly, it would redefine agriculture from a survival activity into a modern, profitable enterprise that underpins economic stability.
As preparations for AGROMEQA Expo 2026 gather momentum, the message from the ACCI is unmistakable: Nigeria’s agricultural future lies not in expanding farmland alone, but in transforming how that land is utilised—through investment, innovation, and industrial-scale thinking.
If successful, the initiative could mark a turning point in the country’s economic diversification journey, positioning agriculture as a cornerstone of sustainable growth and a viable alternative to oil dependency.
