Nutrition: Nigeria targets $2trn global halal meat market –Report

*Nigeria’s desire to get a share of the over $2 trillion global halal meat market is reportedly informed by rising demand for halal products, driven by a fast-growing Muslim population and increasingly quality-conscious consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria is reportedly positioning itself to capture a share of the global halal meat industry, currently valued at over $2 trillion, by leveraging its vast livestock base, improving certification systems, and riding a growing wave of structured investments.

The move is aimed at transforming the foods and nutrition sector into a scalable, export-ready value chain in the Nigerian economy.

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ConsumerConnect gathered the West African country’s ambition comes amid rising global demand for halal products, driven by a fast-growing Muslim population, and increasingly quality-conscious consumers.

Referencing IndexBox’s Asia halal food market analysis, the region alone is projected to account for between $900 billion and $1.1 trillion.

This is said to be underpinned by over 1.8 billion Muslim consumers and expanding demand that now stretches beyond meat into processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and specialty ingredients.

Nigeria has strategic geographic advantage in market, says Dr. Sani

Leading the push for the entry into the lucrative market is Dr. Maiyaki Sani, Head of Operations, Dar Al Halal Certification.

Dr. Sani said the country has a strategic geographic advantage in supplying key halal markets, such as the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar as well as Malaysia, and Indonesia, The Nation report said.

Sani explained that tightening global regulations are reshaping trade flows, as importing countries enforce stricter compliance with Islamic dietary laws.

He stated: “These include proper Islamic slaughtering methods, humane treatment, and ethical processing, aligning with the strict halal regulations of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and GCC nations.”

The Head of Operations at Dar Al Halal Certification also explained these processes guarantee that meat products are authentic, transparent, and “100 percent halal-certified.”

Issues of branding, labelling and supply chain traceability

According to Dr. Sani, Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global halal market increasingly depends on “branding, certification integrity, and consumer trust.”

This is in respect of especially concerns over food fraud, mislabelling, and cross-contamination push regulators towards full supply chain traceability.

Data from the IndexBox as well indicated that halal-certified ingredients, including emulsifiers, enzymes, and gelatin alternatives are growing at 8-10 percent annually.

Whereas emerging segments like plant-based and lab-grown halal proteins are entering pilot phases in markets, such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the UAE, attracting premiums of 30-50 percent among younger consumers.

According to analysts, Nigeria’s opportunity lies not only in exports but also in fixing structural inefficiencies identified within the country’s domestic livestock economy.

With estimated livestock-consuming population exceeding 200 million people and annual meat consumption put at about 1.5 million metric tonnes, the country represents one of Africa’s largest animal protein markets, according to report.

Besides, the red meat segment alone, analysts noted, is valued at roughly ₦1 trillion at production level, with even higher value at retail.

Recent developments, however, suggest a shift toward formalisation and investment-led growth.

APMD initiative and stakeholders’ ₦3.7 billion commitments to unlock market

At a high-level investment matchmaking platform convened under the African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) initiative in Abuja, FCT, stakeholders unlocked ₦3.7 billion in commitments, alongside forward contracts and supply chain agreements aimed at strengthening production and processing linkages.

The meeting catalysed concrete transactions, including a deal in which ABIS Group onboarded the Livestock Butchery and Cooperative Society to supply 100 cattle per week, each averaging 550 kilogrammes.

Further agreements involving producers and processors, such as Majestic Farms, Abbat Abattoir, and MACBAN focused on consistent volumes and quality control, signalling growing confidence in structured upstream supply systems.

In parallel, Nebula Technologies introduced a digital transformation layer by offering its Farmers ERP platform to 27 stakeholders, enabling improved data capture, traceability, and performance monitoring. This intervention is expected to address long-standing data gaps that have limited access to finance, insurance, and large-scale investment.

Banks and other financial institutions participating in the forum highlighted expanding opportunities across feed systems, commercial ranching, processing infrastructure, and cold chain logistics.

The development has reinforced the view of livestock as an emerging commercial asset class in the global economy.

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving the United States (US), Israel and Iran, however, have disrupted key shipping routes and increased freight and insurance costs, report noted.

The impact is already being felt across livestock export corridors, with higher logistics costs and delays affecting supply chains from East Africa to major Gulf markets. Seasonal demand spikes further illustrate the scale of opportunity.

In Qatar, for instance, import volumes surge during Ramadan and Eid, with companies bringing in estimated 100,000 herd of sheep, and other livestock to meet consumption needs.

In view of the following, the Federal Government’s strategy is now hinged on aligning Nigeria’s production systems with global halal standards while simultaneously modernising its domestic supply chains, report added.

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