German companies are intensifying their focus on Nigeria’s rapidly growing food sector, projected to reach €222bn by 2026, as both nations seek deeper cooperation to enhance food security and drive economic growth.
Trade between Germany and Nigeria reflects growing economic ties. According to Trading Economics, Germany’s exports to Nigeria nearly doubled from $500m in 2021 to $963.4m in 2024, driven by machinery, vehicles, chemicals, electronics, and agricultural inputs. Nigeria exports cocoa and related products to Germany, further strengthening bilateral trade.
Speaking at a recent networking reception in Lagos for a German business delegation attending Agrofood Nigeria 2026, the German Consul-General, Daniel Krull, emphasised that strategic collaboration and investment could transform Nigeria’s food system into a driver of resilience and development.
“Better public-private alignment, improved logistics, and a change in investment mindset can turn Nigeria’s food challenges into a strength,” Krull said. “For us, the food sector is very important for the future stability and resilience of Nigeria. German industry has a lot to offer in this regard.”
Krull highlighted the role of modernising infrastructure, empowering smallholder farmers, and rethinking agricultural value chains as essential steps toward sustainable food security. He pointed out that Germany’s expertise in engineering, including bottling and food processing equipment as well as food additives, could support Nigeria’s industrialisation ambitions.
He also noted that technology would be critical in reducing food loss, which currently affects more than 35 per cent of locally produced food due to inadequate storage and energy infrastructure. “Investments in silos, warehouses, and cold chain systems are essential,” he said, adding that a modernised agri-food system could create tech-driven jobs for youth and modernise farms across the country.
Managing Director of Fairtrade Messe, Paul Marz, which organises Agrofood Nigeria, said the exhibition serves as a platform for technology transfer and industry partnerships aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency in Nigeria’s food system. “Our goal is to bring technology into the country to increase local production of safe, high-quality food,” he said.
Marz stressed that mechanisation and farmer training are crucial for improving productivity, competitiveness, and export readiness of local produce. He pointed to measurable results from the exhibition’s decade-long presence in Nigeria, including better packaging quality, expansion of supermarket chains, and improved compliance with international standards.
The 11th edition of the exhibition featured 137 exhibitors from 17 countries, including strong participation from Germany, showcasing processing, packaging, and recycling technologies. While most German firms operate as machinery suppliers seeking local partners, 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 noted that the state’s food market has more than doubled from N6.5tn in 2019 to over N16tn, making it Africa’s largest single food consumption hub and a strategic gateway for agro-investment.
