By Bunmi Yekini
At the 2024 Food and Energy Security in Africa Conference held in Lagos, OCP Africa emphasized the critical role agro-industrial conglomerates play in achieving sustainable agriculture and food security across the continent.
Speaking during a fireside chat, Engr. Oluwatoba Clement Asana, Country Manager of OCP Africa-Nigeria, highlighted Africa’s untapped agricultural potential, noting that the continent holds over 60% of the world’s arable land yet contributes just 10% to global food production. “If we don’t focus on agriculture, we will face more problems, scarcity of resources leads to instability, even within households. Agriculture must be part of the solution,” he stressed.
OCP Africa’s initiatives were a focal point of discussion, including its $43.1 million investment in fertilizer blending facilities across Ogun, Kaduna, and Sokoto states, which boost Nigeria’s annual production capacity by over 500,000 metric tons. Additionally, the company’s Farm and Fortune Hub initiative, with over 200 operational hubs in Nigeria, is enhancing smallholder farmers’ access to fertilizers and quality inputs.
Engr. Asana also detailed OCP Africa’s innovative School Labs project, providing soil testing, tailored fertilizer recommendations, and training to farmers. “Collaboration is key,” he said. “We work with governments, industry partners, and research institutions to ensure our initiatives deliver the broadest impact.”
Highlighting collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), he discussed the $1.4 billion Multipurpose Industrial Platform aimed at cultivating 150,000 hectares of arable land in Nigeria, as well as OCP Group’s broader $13 billion investment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2027.
Key stakeholders at the event, including Aminu Umar-Sadiq, CEO of NSIA, and Samaila Zubairu, President of the African Finance Corporation (AFC), echoed the importance of partnerships in tackling Africa’s food and energy challenges.
OCP Africa reaffirmed its commitment to driving agricultural transformation through investments, farmer empowerment, and research, aligning with its mission to strengthen food security and foster economic growth in Africa.