Nigeria has been reported as Africa’s top contributor to food waste, discarding an estimated 38 million tonnes of food annually, the European Union (EU) has revealed
The disclosure came during the International Zero Waste Day event in Abuja, where stakeholders urged urgent action to reduce food loss and encourage sustainable consumption practices.
Speaking at the event, Zissimos Vergos, EU Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stressed that food waste extends beyond lost meals, warning of its wider environmental impacts.
He noted that nearly one billion tonnes of food—roughly one-fifth of global consumer-available food—was wasted worldwide in 2022. Such waste contributes significantly to climate change, generating up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and a substantial portion of methane output.
Vergos highlighted ongoing Nigerian government initiatives, including the Circular Economy Roadmap and policies targeting waste reduction and improved resource efficiency.
He recommended key strategies for the country, such as investing in rural storage and cold chain infrastructure, promoting agro-processing to turn raw produce into value-added products, and incorporating sustainability education into school curricula.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria through technical assistance, policy collaboration, and funding to strengthen these efforts.
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