Germany’s Agricultural Collaboration with Nigeria: A Pathway to Food Security and Economic Growth
The German government has emphasized the critical role of the agricultural sector in ensuring the future stability and resilience of Nigeria. This sentiment was recently echoed by the German Consul General, Daniel Krull, during a network session held at the Embassy. Krull highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation between Germany and Nigeria to strengthen food security, especially as fresh projections indicate that Nigeria’s food market could reach €222 billion by 2026. This growth underscores vast opportunities in agriculture, processing, and logistics.
Krull stated:
“For us, the food sector, the agri-sector is 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.”
He added that strategic collaboration and investment could transform Nigeria’s food system into a driver of resilience and growth. Krull pointed out that better public-private alignment, improved logistics, and a shift in investment mindset could turn Nigeria’s food challenges into strengths.
Modernising Agriculture for Sustainable Growth
Modernising infrastructure, empowering smallholder farmers, and rethinking agricultural value chains are critical steps toward achieving sustainable food security. According to Krull, Germany’s strengths in engineering—from bottling and food processing equipment to additives—could support Nigeria’s industrialisation ambitions.
“Our engineers are very qualified in building bottling machines, food processing machines, additives to food products, which are very, very important for many products here in Nigeria and the future of food processing in Nigeria,” he added.
Krull also stressed that Nigeria’s agricultural transformation would require a strong infusion of technology to boost productivity while maintaining sustainability. He pointed out that more than 35 percent of food produced locally is lost due to poor storage and weak energy infrastructure. Investments in silos, warehouses, and cold chain systems are essential to address these challenges.
“A transformed agri-food system can bridge the youth gap through tech-driven jobs and modernise farms,” he said, warning that inadequate storage and energy access continue to constrain production and exports.
Strengthening Trade Ties Between Nigeria and Germany
Trade data reflects the growing economic ties between both countries. According to Trading Economics, Germany’s exports to Nigeria nearly doubled from $500 million in 2021 to $963.4 million in 2024, driven largely by machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and electronics, alongside a share of agricultural inputs. Nigeria, in turn, exports cocoa and related products to Germany.
Organisers of the exhibition said the event has become a key platform for technology transfer and industry partnerships. The Managing Director, Fairtrade Messe, Paul Marz, explained that the goal is to promote self-sufficiency in Nigeria’s food system through access to modern machinery and innovation.
“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 is imported. We want, 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.
Mechanisation and Farmer Training: Keys to Productivity
Marz added that mechanisation and farmer training are critical to boosting productivity and competitiveness. He noted that when farmers gain access to new technologies, they become more confident in applying innovative approaches to their production methods.
“This, in turn, leads to improved productivity, higher quality products, and increased competitiveness in the market,” he said.
He pointed to measurable gains from the exhibition’s decade-long presence in Nigeria, including improved packaging quality, expansion of supermarket chains, and better export readiness of local produce.
“As soon as it has better packaging, it extends its shelf life. It’s easier to export. It’s easier to meet international norms and standards,” he noted.
Exhibition Highlights International Collaboration
The 11th edition of the exhibition drew 137 exhibitors from 17 countries, with national pavilions from Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands, and a strong German presence showcasing processing, packaging, and recycling technologies. Marz explained that most German firms operate as machinery suppliers seeking local partners rather than direct investors, though some have established offices and technical support in Nigeria.
At the policy level, Lagos State reaffirmed its central role in Nigeria’s food economy. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state’s food market has more than doubled from N6.5 trillion in 2019 to over N16 trillion, making it Africa’s largest single food consumption hub and a strategic gateway for agro-investment.
“Lagos consumes more than half of all food traded across the South-West,” he said, noting that the state contributes about 22 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and could approach N66 trillion in economic output this year.”
Challenges and Opportunities
However, economists warned that global uncertainties could pose risks. Bismarck Rewane cautioned that geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, may disrupt supply chains and drive up food prices.
“Global economic instability often translates into higher input costs and inflationary pressures within domestic agricultural markets,” he said.
Despite these risks, stakeholders at the event maintained that Nigeria’s agriculture sector remains a cornerstone for inclusive growth, with significant untapped potential across production, processing, logistics, and exports, especially as international partners like Germany step up collaboration to help bridge critical gaps.
