Uyo Agribusiness Conference to Drive Investment, Food Security and Job Creation
UYO, AKWA IBOM — Agricultural investors, government representatives, financial institutions and industry leaders are expected to converge in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as stakeholders seek new ways to attract capital and strengthen Africa’s agricultural value chains.
The 5th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference, scheduled for October 25–28, 2026, will focus on transforming agriculture from largely commodity-based production into a more integrated and commercially viable sector.
The conference is themed “Accelerating Agribusiness Transformation: Unlocking Value Chains to Achieve Food Security, Nutrition Sustainability, Job Creation, Poverty Alleviation, and National Prosperity.”
According to the organisers, the event will go beyond conventional policy discussions by creating opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, producers and governments to establish commercial partnerships and develop bankable agricultural projects.
Focus on Agricultural Investment
A major area of discussion will be access to finance for agricultural businesses and infrastructure.
Project developers, agribusiness operators, investors and financial institutions are expected to explore opportunities in areas such as blended financing, climate finance, agricultural infrastructure and private-sector investment.
The organisers said inadequate funding remains one of the major obstacles to agricultural development across Africa.
Other challenges to be examined include fragmented production, inadequate infrastructure, limited processing capacity and difficulties accessing markets.
From Raw Produce to Value Addition
The conference will also promote greater investment in processing and value addition at the point of production.
Participants are expected to examine opportunities in agro-processing, storage, packaging, mechanisation, cold-chain infrastructure and agricultural technology.
The objective is to help move African agriculture beyond the production and export of raw commodities towards industries capable of generating more employment and retaining greater economic value within local communities.
AfCFTA and Regional Markets
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will also feature prominently during the gathering.
Discussions are expected to explore how Nigerian and African agricultural businesses can improve cross-border trade through better product standards, logistics, export development and access to new markets.
Climate-smart agriculture and green investment will equally form part of the programme, with attention expected on sustainable land use, renewable energy, resilient food systems and climate financing.
Connecting Agriculture With Capital and Technology
Dr Howard Usen, South-South Coordinator of the National Network for Agricultural Investment and Development (NNADI), said the conference would help connect the region’s agricultural resources with the capital, technology and markets needed to generate wealth and employment.
He said the South-South region must move beyond discussions about its agricultural potential and focus on building competitive value chains capable of creating jobs and retaining wealth locally.
The conference is expected to bring together farmers’ associations, commodity groups, processors, exporters, technology companies, development partners and financial institutions.
Uyo Positioned as Investment Hub
Hosting the conference will also give Akwa Ibom an opportunity to showcase its agricultural resources, infrastructure and investment opportunities to local and international stakeholders.
Organisers said the event would provide different opportunities for participants, including investors searching for viable projects, producers seeking buyers, entrepreneurs looking for funding and technology providers seeking commercial partners.
The organisers maintained that achieving sustainable food security and agricultural transformation would require more than government policies, stressing the importance of investment, infrastructure, technology, entrepreneurship and market access.
They said the ultimate measure of the conference would be the partnerships, investments, projects and market opportunities generated from the gathering.
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