Davidorlah Nigeria Limited has called on governments, investors and development institutions to significantly increase funding for Africa’s agricultural sector, arguing that stronger investment in agricultural value chains is essential for sustainable economic development and food security.
The appeal was made by the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Segun Alabi, during the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2026 held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.
Agriculture Should Be Viewed as an Investment Opportunity
Speaking during a session titled Building Africa’s Agri-Value Chains into Investable Infrastructure, Alabi emphasized the need to reposition agriculture beyond traditional farming and treat it as a sector capable of attracting substantial long-term investment.
He explained that transforming agricultural value chains into investable assets would create opportunities for both public and private investors while accelerating the continent’s economic growth.
Closing Key Gaps Across the Value Chain
Alabi noted that Africa already has abundant agricultural resources but continues to face several obstacles that prevent the sector from reaching its full potential.
According to him, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to financing, low levels of technology adoption, weak value addition and restricted market access remain major barriers to growth.
Addressing these issues, he said, would unlock greater economic value across the agricultural sector.
Stronger Partnerships Needed to Drive Growth
The Davidorlah Nigeria chief stressed that meaningful progress would depend on closer cooperation between governments, development finance institutions, private-sector investors and agribusiness operators.
He said coordinated investments throughout the agricultural value chain would help remove long-standing structural challenges, improve productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of African agriculture on the global stage.
Investment Could Boost Jobs, Exports and Industrial Development
Alabi argued that building stronger agricultural value chains would deliver benefits far beyond increased food production.
He said strategic investments could support industrial development, expand export opportunities and create millions of jobs across Africa, while also helping countries establish more resilient and sustainable food systems.
Summit Focuses on Sustainable Economic Development
The Africa Social Impact Summit brought together policymakers, investors, business executives, development partners and social innovators to discuss practical solutions for advancing sustainable development and inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Participants explored ways to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing Africa’s most pressing economic and social challenges.
Davidorlah Reaffirms Commitment to Agribusiness Development
Davidorlah Nigeria Limited said its participation at the summit reflects its continued commitment to promoting agricultural transformation in Nigeria and encouraging greater private-sector involvement in the country’s agribusiness sector.
The company added that discussions at the summit reinforced a shared belief among stakeholders that stronger agricultural value chains are essential for improving food security, increasing productivity and positioning Africa as a more competitive force in the global agricultural economy.
