Nigeria’s Federal Government has called on African countries to accelerate the adoption of digital procurement systems, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and smart logistics to address persistent weaknesses in agricultural supply chains.

The government said technology-driven reforms could help reduce post-harvest losses, improve the movement and distribution of food, strengthen supply networks, and support food security across the continent. It also emphasized the need for greater investment in transportation, storage, and digital infrastructure to connect farmers more efficiently with processors and markets.

Nigeria has urged African governments to combine digital procurement, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and smart logistics to modernize agriculture, reduce supply-chain losses, and improve food security.

The call was made by Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, during the Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Summit and Awards 2026 in Lagos.

Ogunbiyi said procurement should no longer be viewed only as an administrative function. He argued that governments can use procurement as a strategic tool to support economic development, strengthen institutions, create employment, and improve public service delivery.

According to the ministry, public procurement accounts for an estimated 12% to 20% of gross domestic product in many countries. Ogunbiyi said the scale of government spending means procurement decisions can be used to stimulate domestic industries and generate greater economic and social value, making procurement reform a practical lever rather than a back-office exercise.

Infrastructure Gaps Continue to Pressure Farmers

Ogunbiyi identified weak transportation networks, inadequate logistics facilities, fragmented cross-border systems, high freight costs, and limited warehousing capacity as major barriers to agricultural development in Africa.

He said inefficient logistics and transportation systems contribute significantly to post-harvest losses. These weaknesses also reduce farmers’ earnings, increase food prices, and undermine food security across the region.

Farmers depend on reliable logistics to receive seeds, fertilizers, machinery, and agricultural extension services on time, he said. After harvest, agricultural products must move quickly to warehouses, processing facilities, and markets to prevent spoilage and preserve commercial value.

The government called for increased investment in roads, railways, inland waterways, ports, cold-storage systems, warehouses, and digital logistics platforms. The ministry said these improvements could reduce transportation costs, support regional trade, and create additional opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Expanded transport, cold-chain, storage, and digital logistics infrastructure could lower distribution costs, improve farmers’ market access, and strengthen agricultural trade across Africa. Without those systems, the ministry said, even well-produced crops can lose value before reaching consumers.

Digital Reforms Target Transparency and Efficiency

Ogunbiyi urged African governments to expand the use of electronic procurement platforms, digital contract management systems, data analytics, and other technology-based tools.

He said transparent and technology-enabled procurement systems, combined with resilient supply chains, would be important for advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and maximizing the economic opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is using procurement reforms to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The ministry’s priorities include improving agricultural mechanization, irrigation, storage capacity, processing infrastructure, and broader agricultural value chains.

Ogunbiyi said the ministry’s procurement reforms include greater digitalization, stronger monitoring and evaluation procedures, professional development for procurement personnel, and wider engagement with relevant stakeholders.

He added that procurement activities within the ministry are conducted under the country’s Public Procurement Act and are guided by principles including integrity, due process, competition, transparency, and effective contract management.

The ministry is positioning digital procurement as a central tool for improving agricultural infrastructure, strengthening oversight, and supporting long-term growth across food value chains.

The summit brought together government representatives, development organizations, procurement specialists, and industry leaders from across Africa. It also recognized individuals and institutions for contributions to procurement and supply-chain management.

The government’s recommendations highlight the growing role of digital technology in addressing agricultural inefficiencies, especially as countries seek to connect policy goals with the day-to-day systems that move inputs and harvests. The effectiveness of the proposed reforms will depend on infrastructure investment, cross-border cooperation, regulatory coordination, and the ability of governments and private-sector participants to implement technology systems at scale.

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