Nigeria to raise US$3.5B to cut post-harvest losses

NIGERIA – Nigeria has announced plans to mobilize $3.5 billion for a new programme aimed at cutting post-harvest losses that continue to undermine food security and farmer incomes.

The Nigerian Post-Harvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST) was presented by Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari during the African Food Systems Forum held in Dakar, Senegal.

The programme will run for 10 years and will target cereals, legumes, roots, tubers, and vegetables.

Kyari explained that the initiative focuses on storage infrastructure at all levels, from households to community warehouses and national reserves. He emphasized the central role of private investment in managing these facilities through public-private partnerships.

“The NiPHaST program will stabilize food prices, ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of staple foods, improve storage systems, and achieve national food sovereignty,” Kyari said.

A major part of the plan involves expanding access to modern storage technologies. Solar-powered cold rooms will receive particular attention, as their use remains limited despite their potential to prevent food spoilage.

The role of the private sector

The government expects strong involvement of private actors, but challenges remain. Reliable electricity, equipment maintenance, and limited financing options continue to slow the expansion of cold chain infrastructure across Nigeria and the wider region.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, these structural gaps make investors hesitant. “Nigerian banks have a poor understanding of the cold chain sector, which makes it difficult for players like us to get loans. The cold chain is an integral part of agriculture and, without adequate investment, the growth and potential of the sector is severely limited,” said Alexander Isong, president of the Organization for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA).

Data from the government shows the urgency of the issue. Post-harvest losses in Nigeria reached nearly $10 billion in 2024, a figure that highlights the economic and food security risks of weak storage systems.

Beyond Nigeria, similar measures are being taken in other African countries to tackle losses in the food supply chain. These regional efforts highlight the scale of the challenge and the recognition that storage and preservation are central to achieving food security.

For Nigeria, the NiPHaST programme represents a strategic move to protect farm produce, stabilize supply, and strengthen its agricultural base.

If the programme succeeds, it could reduce waste that has long drained the country’s farming sector and provide a model for other countries facing similar challenges.

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