By Dauda Lawal
The visit of former President of Botswana, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, to Agbeyewa Farms in Ekiti State is far more than a ceremonial engagement. It is a strong strategic signal—both locally and continentally—about Agbeyewa Farms’ rising profile and its clear ambition to evolve into one of Africa’s largest and most integrated agro-allied companies.
President Masisi is not only a respected African statesman; he is also a seasoned agribusiness investor and one of Botswana’s prominent cattle farmers. His endorsement therefore carries uncommon weight. It bridges policy, private-sector credibility, and hands-on agricultural experience. When such a figure openly commends Agbeyewa Farms’ scale, structure, and vision, it validates the company’s model and sends a powerful message to investors, development partners, and policymakers across Africa.
At its core, the visit underscores Agbeyewa Farms’ transition from large-scale farming into full agro-industrialization. The former President’s emphasis on policy support, subsidies, value chains, and diversification aligns directly with Agbeyewa’s strategy: moving beyond cultivation into processing, trading, and export-oriented agribusiness. This convergence of thought reinforces Agbeyewa’s positioning as a future continental leader in agro-allied industries.
Catalyst for Job Creation and Human Capital Development
One of the most immediate implications of this high-profile visit is accelerated job creation. Agbeyewa Farms has already employed over one thousand youths directly and indirectly within three years. With increased visibility, credibility, and prospective partnerships arising from this visit, that number is set to multiply significantly.
As the company deepens its investment in cassava processing—industrial starch, and high-quality cassava flour—new layers of employment will emerge across processing lines, logistics, quality control, engineering, research, and export management. Beyond direct jobs, thousands more indirect opportunities will be created through outgrower schemes, transport services, packaging, warehousing, and ancillary services.
For Ekiti State, this translates into a growing pool of skilled agro-industrial workers, reduced rural-urban migration, and a new generation of young people who see agriculture not as subsistence, but as a viable, dignified, and profitable career path.
Boosting Ekiti State’s Economic Growth and Development
President Masisi’s visit reinforces Ekiti State’s emergence as a serious agro-investment destination. Agbeyewa Farms is rapidly becoming an anchor project—one that stimulates economic activity well beyond its farm gates. Increased production, processing, and trade will expand the state’s internally generated revenue, strengthen local supply chains, and attract complementary investments in infrastructure, housing, and services.
Moreover, the emphasis on policy-backed agriculture highlighted during the visit provides a compelling case for deeper collaboration between Agbeyewa Farms and state institutions. Such alignment can accelerate land development, rural infrastructure, and agribusiness-friendly regulations, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and investment.
Platform for Strategic Partnerships Across Africa
The presence of a former African president with deep agribusiness roots opens doors to transnational partnerships. President Masisi’s background as a major cattle farmer and his advocacy for diversified agricultural economies—including the wildlife economy—introduce new dimensions for Agbeyewa’s long-term expansion.
Potential partnerships could span livestock integration, feed production, bio-energy, and even cross-border knowledge exchange between West and Southern Africa. His visit positions Agbeyewa Farms as a credible African partner capable of engaging governments, development finance institutions, and private investors seeking scalable, well-governed agro-industrial projects.
Strategic Link to the Ekiti International Cargo Airport
Perhaps one of the most transformative implications lies in Agbeyewa Farms’ relationship with the newly operational Ekiti International Cargo Airport. Large-scale, export-driven agribusiness requires efficient logistics, cold chains, and access to global markets. Agbeyewa Farms has the capacity to become one of the airport’s anchor cargo clients.
With processing facilities coming on stream, the airport can support the export of high-value cassava derivatives, starch, and other agro-processed goods. This will significantly raise cargo volumes, improve the airport’s commercial viability, and position Ekiti as a regional agro-export hub. In turn, increased air cargo activity will attract freight operators, logistics firms, and international buyers—further stimulating economic growth.
A Continental Vision Taking Shape
Ultimately, President Masisi’s visit validates Agbeyewa Farms’ broader vision: to build a fully integrated agro-allied company that operates across cultivation, processing, logistics, and trade, while delivering inclusive development. It signals that Agbeyewa is no longer just a Nigerian success story, but a model with continental relevance.
By combining scale, technology, policy engagement, and human capital development, Agbeyewa Farms is demonstrating how agriculture can drive mass employment, industrial growth, and shared prosperity. The former President’s presence affirms that this vision aligns with Africa’s future—and that Agbeyewa Farms is firmly on the path to becoming one of Africa’s biggest agro-allied enterprises.
Dauda Lawal is the Director of Community Engagement and Communications, Agbeyewa Farms