An international agribusiness exhibition, Growtech West Africa, has pledged to connect global agricultural innovation with local market needs as West African countries intensify efforts to strengthen food security and reduce dependence on food imports.

In a statement, the organisers disclosed that the exhibition would debut in Lagos from 26 to 28 January 2027, at the Landmark Centre.

They noted that the event comes as governments and private sector operators across the region push for improved agricultural productivity, modern farming systems, and stronger local food production capacity.

According to the organisers, West Africa currently spends over $50bn annually on food imports despite the region’s growing agricultural potential.

Speaking on the initiative, the Middle East Director of Growtech, Ahmed Khalil, said the exhibition would create opportunities for investment, innovation, and partnerships across the agricultural value chain.

“West Africa stands at a defining moment for its agriculture and food sector. The region has the land, population, resources, and ambition to significantly strengthen food security and local production capabilities over the coming decade. Growtech West Africa is designed to support that transformation by connecting global innovation with local market needs, while creating opportunities for investment, partnerships, and long-term sector growth,” Khalil said.

He added that the expansion of Growtech into West Africa reflected the region’s growing relevance in global agriculture.

“As countries across West Africa focus on reducing food import dependency and building more resilient agricultural systems, there is increasing demand for modern technologies, controlled-environment agriculture, irrigation, livestock solutions, aquaculture development, and knowledge exchange,” Khalil said.

The organisers stated that Nigeria remains central to the region’s agricultural transformation due to its vast arable land, large agricultural workforce, and increasing investments in food production, processing, and supply chain infrastructure.

They also cited Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates projecting that West Africa’s food economy could surpass $480bn by 2030.

The Exhibition Director of Growtech Events, Engin Er, said West Africa represented a strategic market for the exhibition’s international expansion.

“Growtech has evolved into an international platform supporting agricultural advancement across multiple high-growth regions. Following the success of our events in Türkiye and other international markets, West Africa represents a natural and highly strategic next step. The market potential is enormous, and there is a strong appetite for innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions that can help improve productivity and sustainability across the agricultural value chain,” Er said.

The organisers said the inaugural edition of the exhibition will attract more than 5,000 industry professionals, over 100 exhibitors, international country pavilions, and more than 50 speakers from agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, irrigation, food production, and agri-tech sectors.

They added that the exhibition will feature greenhouse technologies, precision farming, irrigation systems, livestock and poultry solutions, aquaculture, fisheries, seeds and seedlings, and food processing technologies.

According to the organisers, the event will also host a Food Security and Sustainability Conference, bringing together policymakers, investors, agribusiness leaders, development organisations, researchers, and technology providers to discuss agricultural financing, climate resilience, sustainable water use, and long-term food system resilience.