Agriculture remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, employing millions and contributing significantly to GDP. However, the sector’s full potential in trade remains largely untapped due to policy bottlenecks, infrastructural deficits, and global competitiveness challenges. By implementing strategic policies, Nigeria can significantly enhance agricultural trade, boost foreign exchange earnings, and create jobs.
Nigeria must fully harness the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to expand its agricultural export footprint across the continent. Additionally, the government should negotiate bilateral trade deals favouring local farmers and agribusinesses, ensuring reduced tariffs and streamlined customs processes. Lowering non-tariff barriers and enhancing compliance with international trade standards will also help Nigerian agricultural products compete better globally.
A major constraint to agricultural trade is poor infrastructure. Bad roads, inadequate rail networks, and inefficiencies at ports lead to high post-harvest losses and increased costs. To address this, the government should prioritise investments in rural roads, expand cold storage facilities, and modernise ports to ease the export process. Developing a robust logistics system, including cold chain transportation, will improve the quality and shelf life of perishable exports like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
