Nigeria tops the rankings for food waste in Africa as 38 million tonnes are lost annually

Nigeria has the highest food waste in Africa, with an estimated 38 million tonnes of food lost annually, sparking urgent calls for action from the European Union, the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

This warning was issued during the commemoration of International Zero Waste Day in Abuja, where stakeholders highlighted the impact of food waste on the environment and economy, and emphasized that resources such as water, energy and labor are wasted when food is thrown away.

In a statement issued by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Deputy Ambassador, Zissimos Vergos, described the scale of the crisis as alarming, and noted that Nigeria leads the continent in terms of food loss.

He pointed out that, globally, nearly one billion tonnes of food was wasted in 2022 alone, representing almost 20 percent of all food available to consumers. “This is not just a loss of food, but a waste of precious resources, a missed opportunity to fight hunger, and a direct threat to the health of our planet,” he added.

Vergos further explained that food loss and waste contribute significantly to environmental degradation, accounting for up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 40 percent of methane emissions worldwide.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s efforts to address the issue, he said, “Nigeria’s Circular Economy Roadmap, the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Circular Economy Committee, the push to develop a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation, these are not small gestures. These are structural changes.

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“This signals that Nigeria is not waiting for others to solve its problems; they are building systems to solve them from within. Now, today’s theme, reduction, minimization and valorization of food waste, is the right conversation at the right time.”

He also outlined key strategies that Nigeria could adopt, including improving rural infrastructure such as storage and cold chains, improving agricultural processing to reduce post-harvest losses, and integrating zero-waste education into school curricula.

Reaffirming the EU’s support, Vergos said, “The EU is ready to be your partner in these efforts, through funding, through technical cooperation and through sincere solidarity.”

Also speaking, Minister for the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling food waste as part of its wider sustainability goals.

“Food waste remains a major challenge that not only impacts our environment, but also our economy and society. Every food thrown away represents wasted resources such as water, energy, labor and capital, while Nigerians continue to face food insecurity. “Therefore, tackling food waste is critical to sustainable development and ensuring a healthier future for everyone.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment, in this year’s national allocation, has developed food waste elimination projects in key markets across Nigeria. And this goes to show you that the Federal Ministry of Environment is addressing the issue of food waste at its core, especially post-harvest losses.”

He added that handling food waste is in line with efforts to reduce pollution and encourage efficient consumption patterns. “Reducing food waste will not only help lower pollution and greenhouse gases, but also conserve precious resources and encourage more efficient and responsible consumption patterns across households, businesses and institutions.”

In his remarks, Director and Representative of UNIDO’s Sub-Regional Office in Nigeria, Philbert Johnson, underscored the wider implications of food waste on national development.

“Food is more than just a commodity: it is the foundation of wealth, a driver of health, and a pillar of security. It sustains our homes, supports industry, and sustains the stability of our societies.

“When food systems function efficiently, they generate income, increase resilience, and improve well-being. When food systems fail, when food is lost or wasted, the impacts ripple across our economy, environment, and communities.”

He reiterated UNIDO’s commitment to support Nigeria in building a more resilient and sustainable agro-industrial system.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that addressing the food waste crisis in Nigeria is critical not only for environmental sustainability but also for improving food security and economic stability across the country.