Accelerating Nigeria’s journey to food sufficiency

In a groundbreaking move to accelerate Nigeria's journey to food sufficiency, the Tingo Group and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have inked a historic agreement. The deal grants Tingo a 30-year lease over AFAN's warehouses nationwide, marking a significant step towards revolutionizing the agriculture sector in the country. The presidents of the two organizations, Chris Cleverly of Tingo International Holdings and Farouk Mudi of AFAN, recently shed light on the transformative potential of this partnership in an exclusive interview on CNBC Africa. Farouk Mudi emphasized the critical role of private sector engagement in ensuring the success of Nigeria's agricultural sector. He highlighted the need for sustainable funding and strategic partnerships to drive growth and development in agriculture, stressing that government initiatives alone cannot sufficiently support the sector's vast needs. AFAN's collaboration with Tingo represents a strategic alliance aimed at enhancing funding opportunities and ensuring continuity in agricultural programs beyond political administrations. Chris Cleverly echoed Farouk's sentiments, underscoring the significance of the agreement with AFAN in Tingo's business strategy. By leveraging Tingo's existing network of 12 million farmers and integrating AFAN's 30-60 million farmers into their ecosystem, the partnership seeks to create a comprehensive value chain from farm to fork. Tingo's focus on empowering farmers through access to financing, technology, and markets is poised to yield substantial increases in agricultural output, particularly in wheat and rice production. One of the key points discussed in the interview was the issue of food security and the challenges posed by insecurity in Nigeria's agricultural regions. Farouk Mudi emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between farmers and security agencies to enhance operational efficiency and mitigate security risks. By adopting clustered farming approaches and mechanized systems, AFAN aims to enhance productivity while addressing security concerns, thereby fostering a conducive environment for agricultural growth. Furthermore, the establishment of warehouses in every local government across Nigeria and the linkage of farmers to these facilities underscore the commitment to improving market access and reducing the influence of middlemen in agricultural value chains. Chris Cleverly highlighted the potential economic impact of reducing food imports through increased domestic production, citing an $8 billion annual expenditure on food imports as a compelling incentive for investors to participate in Nigeria's agriculture sector. In conclusion, the partnership between Tingo Group and AFAN represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria's agricultural landscape. By combining resources, expertise, and technology, the two entities are poised to drive sustainable growth, enhance food security, and uplift the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country. The transformative potential of this alliance signals a new era of progress and prosperity for Nigeria's agriculture sector, underpinned by innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to food sufficiency.