Nigeria Hosts Africa Agriculture Dialogue 2025 to Unlock Financing for Food Security and Growth
Nigeria is set to host the Africa Agriculture Dialogue (AAD) 2025 in Abuja on October 7–8, bringing together key stakeholders to accelerate agricultural transformation across the continent. The high-level continental summit, themed “Unlocking Finance for Agricultural Transformation in Africa,” will be held at the State House Banquet Hall. It will attract top government officials, agribusiness leaders, development partners, financial institutions, and farmers—all focused on mobilizing investment and innovation to drive Africa’s food security and economic growth.
The dialogue, which precedes the annual World Food Prize ceremony in the United States, aims to position Africa as a unified voice on agricultural financing. According to Idris Ajimobi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, hosting the event underscores Nigeria’s commitment to leading Africa’s agricultural transformation. “Lack of financing remains a major constraint to growth,” Ajimobi said, noting that the AAD 2025 will explore innovative financing models to unlock Africa’s vast agricultural potential and support sustainable food systems.
Ajimobi highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s agriculture through policies and reforms, particularly in livestock development, a sector critical for food security and employment. He cited the National Livestock Master Plan (N-LMP) as a flagship initiative designed to attract public and private investment into animal production, health services, and market access. “The plan focuses on making the livestock industry more competitive and resilient,” he explained, adding that it aligns with broader economic diversification goals.
Richard-Mark Mbaram, Special Adviser to the Minister of Livestock Development, described the dialogue as a strategic platform to shape Africa’s agricultural narrative ahead of the World Food Prize event. “The dialogue captures Africa’s agricultural stories—its challenges, innovations, and ambitions—so that they are visible on the global stage,” he said. Mbaram commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for implementing concrete policies, such as the state of emergency on food security, which marked a turning point in Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable and inclusive food system.
As anticipation builds, the Africa Agriculture Dialogue 2025 is expected to serve as a pivotal event in shaping the continent’s agricultural investment landscape. Experts believe it will strengthen partnerships, unlock financing opportunities, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s food security and rural transformation agenda. With its focus on practical solutions and collaboration, the AAD 2025 could help turn Africa’s agricultural potential into a driver of prosperity and resilience for millions across the continent.
source: Punch