Federal government, The European Union (EU), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have called for urgent and coordinated action to curb food waste and promote sustainable consumption and production practices.

They warned that when food is wasted, the water, energy, and labour invested in its production are also lost, accelerating climate change and undermining global efforts to build a zero-waste, circular economy.

Speaking in Abuja at the commemoration of this year’s International Zero Waste Day, themed “Food Waste Reduction: Minimisation and Valorisation,” Zissimos Vergos, deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, disclosed that Nigeria wastes approximately 38 million tonnes of food annually, more than any other country in Africa.

He further noted that globally, in 2022 alone, nearly one billion tonnes of food—almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers—was wasted.

“This is not just a loss of food; it is a squandering of precious resources, a missed opportunity to combat hunger, and a direct threat to our planet’s health,” he said.

Vergos stressed that food loss and waste are major drivers of environmental degradation, contributing up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions—nearly five times the emissions of the entire aviation sector—and accounting for as much as 40 per cent of global methane emissions.

Highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing efforts, he said: “The Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap, the establishment of the Interministerial Circular Economy Committee, the push to develop a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation, these are not small gestures. These are structural shifts.

“They signal that Nigeria is not waiting for someone else to solve its problem; it is building the system to solve it from within. Now, today’s theme: food waste reduction, minimisation and valorisation, is the right conversation at the right moment.”

Vergos also shared three key lessons from the EU’s experience to support Nigeria’s efforts. First, he urged investment in rural infrastructure, including roads, storage, and cold chains, to address post-harvest losses beyond the farm gate. Second, he emphasised the need to promote agro-processing by converting fresh produce into value-added products such as tomato paste and cassava flour, while linking smallholder farmers to processors and markets.

Third, he called for embedding zero-waste principles, recycling, and resource efficiency into school curricula from the primary level to foster a culture of sustainability among future generations.

Reaffirming the EU’s commitment, he stated, “The EU stands ready to be your partner in that work, through funding, through technical cooperation, and through genuine solidarity.”

In his keynote address, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, minister of Environment, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable practices aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians.

“Food waste remains a significant challenge that affects not only our environment but also our economy and society. Every discarded meal represents wasted resources such as water, energy, labour, and capital, while Nigerians continue to face food insecurity.

Addressing food waste is therefore central to sustainable development and ensuring a healthier future for all,” he said.

He added: “The Federal Ministry of Environment, in this year’s national appropriation, has developed projects on food waste elimination in major markets around Nigeria. And this is to show you that the Federal Ministry of Environment is tackling the issues of food waste at its core, especially post-harvest losses.”

Stressing the broader impact, he noted that addressing food waste aligns with the Ministry’s core objectives. “Reducing food waste will not only help to lower pollution and greenhouse gases, but also conserve valuable resources and promote more efficient and responsible consumption patterns across households, businesses, and institutions,” he added.

Also speaking, Amb. Philbert Johnson, Director and Representative of UNIDO’s Sub-Regional Office in Nigeria, emphasised that food must not be wasted, especially in a country grappling with food insecurity and malnutrition.

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

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

He reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agro-industrial systems.

Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to providing customers with seamless and uninterrupted banking services throughout the Easter public holidays.

The Bank assured customers that its secure and robust digital platforms will remain fully operational to support financial activities during the festive period.

According to the bank, all digital channels, including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point agent locations nationwide will remain accessible throughout the holiday.

Speaking on the Bank’s preparedness, Victor Yalokwu, head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, assured customers of a smooth and secure banking experience during the Easter break.

He noted that customers can conveniently conduct transactions at any time using the Bank’s wide range of digital solutions.

“Customers will continue to enjoy a full bouquet of services during the holiday, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments, airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance enquiries, account statements, and cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.

“We understand that festive seasons come with increased financial activity, and our priority is to ensure our customers enjoy fast, reliable, and secure banking wherever they are. Our digital channels are designed to support uninterrupted transactions, and we have strengthened our systems to guarantee optimal performance throughout the Easter break,” Yalokwu said.

He also encouraged customers to maximise the Bank’s alternative channels for transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, card services, and account management.

He also advised customers to stay vigilant by shopping only on trusted websites; avoiding the sharing of PINs, passwords, and one-time passwords (OTPs); refraining from banking on public Wi-Fi networks; being cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages; and regularly monitoring their account activity.

“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service. We wish all our customers and partners a peaceful and joyful Easter celebration.” He stated.

“We understand that festive seasons come with increased financial activity, and our priority is to ensure our customers enjoy fast, reliable, and secure banking wherever they are. Our digital channels are designed to support uninterrupted transactions, and we have strengthened our systems to guarantee optimal performance throughout the Easter break,” Yalokwu said.

He also encouraged customers to maximise the Bank’s alternative channels for transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, card services, and account management. He also advised customers to stay vigilant by shopping only on trusted websites; avoiding the sharing of PINs, passwords, and one-time passwords (OTPs); refraining from banking on public Wi-Fi networks; being cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages; and regularly monitoring their account activity.

“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service. We wish all our customers and partners a peaceful and joyful Easter celebration.” He stated.

Anchor, a global banking and payments platform that enables businesses to integrate financial products into their own systems, has processed over $2.5 billion in transactions since its inception in 2022, according to its 2025 End-of-Year Review.

Segun Adeyemi, CEO of Anchor

The company expanded its regulatory footprint by securing new Microfinance Bank and International Money Transfer Operator licences in Nigeria, and a Money Service Business license in Canada.

Since launching, Anchor has onboarded over 1,000 businesses across 18 countries in Africa, North and South America, and Europe, whilst enabling more than 20 million local and international payments.

“Acquiring these licences reinforces our commitment to building durable and trusted infrastructure,” said Segun Adeyemi, CEO of Anchor.

The regulatory licences represent a defining shift for Anchor, moving the company from operating purely as infrastructure to becoming a fully licensed financial institution in key markets.

Its Microfinance Bank licence in Nigeria enables it to offer banking services directly, while the International Money Transfer Operator licence supports cross-border remittances.

The Canadian Money Service Business licence expands its ability to serve businesses operating in North America.

The regulatory progress followed a period of intensive engagement with authorities in multiple jurisdictions and operational strengthening to meet compliance standards.

In 2025, Anchor introduced several enhancements, including USD virtual cards for global spending, improved account structures, and streamlined payment flows for international teams.

The company positions itself as an infrastructure for businesses building financial products, offering embedded accounts, payments, and card services that companies can integrate directly into their own platforms.

Anchor’s growth comes during a period of consolidation in African fintech, with several players either shutting down, scaling back operations, or pivoting business models due to regulatory pressure and funding challenges.

The company’s focus on securing licences across multiple jurisdictions suggests a strategy of building sustainable, compliant infrastructure rather than pursuing growth at the expense of regulatory relationships.

The 2025 End-of-Year Review highlights broader trends in how startups and enterprises are adopting embedded financial services and the increasing need for scalable, compliant infrastructure as regulators across Africa tighten oversight of fintech operations.