Rep La’ori Urges Nigeria, Africa to Prioritize Agriculture, Invest in Regional Agro-Industries

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Kwamoti La’ori, has called for a renewed continental focus on agriculture and agro-industrial value chains, stressing that Africa’s future lies in regional collaboration, strategic investment, and self-reliance—not foreign aid.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday after a working visit to Tanzania, the lawmaker highlighted the economic opportunities within Africa’s agricultural ecosystem, particularly in the sisal industry. According to La’ori, sisal—a durable plant used in both traditional and modern products—presents a viable path to sustainable development across the continent.

He noted that Tanzania currently accounts for over 35 percent of global sisal production, with an institutional framework that supports cultivation, research, processing, and exports. Citing discussions with key Tanzanian officials, including High Commissioner to Nigeria H.E. Selestine Gervas Kakele and the Director General of the Tanzania Sisal Board, Mr. Saddy Kambona, La’ori emphasized that the sector is primed for investment from Nigerian and African stakeholders.

According to observations monitored by iReporter Online, La’ori urged Nigerian investors, cooperatives, and development partners to seize the opportunity for regional collaboration in areas such as plantation development, fibre processing, product manufacturing, and export logistics.

He stated that the sisal industry’s applications extend beyond traditional uses like rope and sacks, into modern sectors such as biodegradable geotextiles and composite materials, making it a strategic commodity in today’s environmentally conscious global market.

La’ori, who previously chaired the House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, reiterated his belief that Africa’s economic transformation must be anchored in its own internal capacities, regional synergies, and a unified vision of prosperity.