Nigeria's Manufacturing Sector Urged to Embrace Circular Economy

Samuel Mobolaji

Stakeholders at the PROPAK West Africa Conference canvassed for the transformation of Nigeria’s manufacturing sectors from heavily reliant on signal use plastic, to a value-added circular economy.

They stated this at the PROPAK West Africa 2024 Smart Packaging Conference, held in Lagos, with the theme, ‘Unlocking Nigeria Food Security: Implementation of smart sustainable packaging to reduce food waste’.

Speaking, the regional director, West Africa Montgomery, organizer of Propak Exhibition, Mr. George Pearson stated that in 2012, with little over 20 exhibitors and 500 visitors, Propak West Africa has grown year on year to become the largest and most attended platform serving the manufacturing sectors in West Africa.

According to him, the 11th edition welcoming over 275 exhibitors and brands, from 36 countries showcasing their products to over 5,500 industry professionals, demonstrating the international appeal of the event.

He stated that for Nigeria to become a value-added circular economy, there must be investment in manufacturing, increasing the use of new equipment and machinery, as well as human capital, saying since these are key ingredients in ensuring greater efficiency and effectiveness in manufacturing.

He also added that direct investment and improvement in the manufacturing sector can support Nigeria’s goal of evolving its economy, which is anchored on a stronger domestic manufacturing sector.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (CCT&I), Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, representing the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted the critical role of packaging and processing industries in driving economic development, enhancing food security, and promoting environmental sustainability.

She pointed out that the industries represented here are vital to Nigeria’s economic landscape, supporting key sectors such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and fast-moving consumer goods.

She noted that “plastic waste poses a severe threat to our ecosystem and underscores the urgent need for sustainable packaging and better waste management practices.”

She noted further that post-harvest losses had been estimated up to 40 per cent of food produced in Nigeria, saying that this underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable packaging solutions.

The director-general of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir said that the theme of today’ event is relevant to the current economic situation, saying the value addition that the manufacturing sector offers the agricultural sector cannot be overemphasized.

He, however, said there is the need to further strengthen the synergy between the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, to deliver the much desired and long-awaited food security in Africa.

“We all know that food security is a pressing global issue. One-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted; but this unfavourable trajectory can change with intentional implementation of smart packaging.

“The combinative solution that smart packaging offers helps to extend shelf life, monitor food quality and reduce waste. This is what we should be focusing on as we can no longer afford more waste as a Nation,” he stated.