Nigeria is turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI), geospatial analytics, and satellite-driven climate intelligence to transform its agriculture sector an initiative expected to create new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known at the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he highlighted Nigeria's commitment to building resilient and tech-enabled food systems. "Nigeria is ready to listen, ready to learn, and ready to lead," he said.
Shettima emphasized that embracing digital agriculture will boost food production, enhance climate adaptation, and unlock inclusive growth—particularly for agritech startups, rural SMEs, and food processing ventures.
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The summit, attended by African leaders and international stakeholders, called for predictable concessional finance to support agriculture, rural transformation, and literacy. Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need for food systems that are sustainable, equitable, and aligned with climate realities.
For Nigeria's SME sector, the shift signals government backing for innovation and investment in smart farming and food logistics. It's a promising step toward tackling food insecurity while empowering entrepreneurs.
"The arc of history bends not only toward justice—it bends toward food justice," Shettima concluded.
