Abuja – Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer of tomatoes, is losing a staggering 45% of its annual harvest—equivalent to nearly 1.8 million tonnes—due to poor supply chain infrastructure and post-harvest waste, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.
Speaking on Monday at the unveiling of GB Hub Africa in Abuja—through ministry representative Ibrahim Alkali—the Minister decried the paradox crippling the nation’s food system: Nigeria grows almost 4 million tonnes of tomatoes annually but remains the world’s largest importer of tomato paste.
“This waste represents not only lost food, but lost livelihoods, economic potential, and nutritional access for our citizens,” Kyari said.
The crisis, Kyari explained, is rooted in inadequate processing infrastructure, weak farmer-to-processor linkages, and outdated farming practices. Compounding the issue is the growing threat of Tuta Absoluta, a destructive tomato pest currently ravaging crops and sending tomato prices skyrocketing in markets across Nigeria.
The Tomato Leaf Miner, as it is known, can wipe out up to 100% of crops if not properly managed—posing an urgent risk to both food availability and farmer income.
A Ray of Hope: GBFoods’ $10 Million Commitment
In response to these challenges, GBFoods, a leading food processing company, has launched a $10 million initiative through its new platform, GB Hub Africa, aimed at transforming Africa’s food systems. Executive Director Nelson Amo emphasized the hub’s commitment to enhancing nutrition, improving food security, and creating jobs—especially for youth and women.
“GB Hub Africa is not just about business. It’s about building sustainable solutions for Africa’s food challenges,” Amo said.
One of GBFoods’ most notable achievements is the establishment of a 25,000-tonne capacity tomato processing factory in Kebbi State, which is already helping to reduce post-harvest losses and boost local economies.
Kyari praised the effort, noting it exemplifies how targeted investments in agro-processing infrastructure can turn waste into wealth and reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imports.
The Way Forward
Kyari called for urgent and sustained investment in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, stressing that the country’s food security and economic diversification goals would remain out of reach without modern processing facilities and stronger supply chain linkages.
“Until we modernise our systems and support our farmers beyond the farmgate, we will continue to suffer massive losses,” he warned.
With platforms like GB Hub Africa now stepping in, the spotlight is once again on collaborative innovation—blending private sector investment with policy reform to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.