By Mercy Aikoye
Agriculture expert Segun Alabi has warned that Africa’s continued export of raw agricultural products is deepening poverty, limiting job creation, and stalling industrial growth across the continent.
Speaking with the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja on Wednesday, Alabi said Africa’s economic challenges are largely rooted in its failure to add value to its abundant natural resources. According to him, the long-standing practice of exporting unprocessed commodities deprives local economies of wealth that could otherwise be generated through industrialisation.
“Exporting raw materials strips countries of value addition, weakens industrial development, and reduces opportunities for job creation,” he said.
Alabi illustrated his argument using pineapple production. While a single raw fruit may sell for only a small amount on the international market, he noted that processing it into juice, dried products, pharmaceuticals, or even renewable energy inputs could increase its value by up to ten times.
He called on both local and foreign investors, including Africans in the diaspora, to redirect their focus toward agricultural value chains rather than primary production alone. This shift, he said, would position Africa as a global value creator instead of merely a supplier of raw materials.
The expert also emphasised the importance of farmer education, noting that improved training would enhance product quality and boost competitiveness in international markets. Skilled farmers, he added, are essential to driving sustainable growth in the sector.
Alabi stressed that prioritising local processing over raw exports is key to building resilient economies. “Processing agricultural products within the continent will stimulate industries, create jobs, and generate wealth,” he said.
He concluded by urging a fundamental shift in how Africa approaches its resources, insisting that value addition must become the new standard if the continent is to achieve meaningful economic transformation.
