The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has called on the Federal Government to implement targeted fiscal policies that will stimulate growth in agriculture and industry, warning that current structural bottlenecks are undermining productivity and fueling inflation.

In a statement, the CPPE urged government to grant concessionary import duties on intermediate products for industrialists and food processors. According to the group, lowering input costs will enhance profitability across value chains and help reduce food inflation.

It also recommended tax reliefs, removal of certain duties, VAT and excise charges on key production inputs, particularly in agriculture, agrochemicals and allied industries. These measures, it said, would strengthen domestic production and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

The CPPE further highlighted several challenges facing producers, including high energy and power costs, insecurity in farming areas, rising port charges, and elevated interest rates that make industrial investment unattractive.

On policy direction, the organisation warned against abrupt measures such as the recent six month ban on raw shea nut exports, which it said had disrupted the entire value chain from farmers to exporters leading to declining prices, contract defaults and loss of investor confidence.

Policy predictability and stakeholder engagement are essential. Sudden restrictions and unannounced tariff changes damage trust and destabilise industries, the CPPE noted.

The group emphasised that if government addresses these fiscal and structural constraints, agriculture and industry could play a far greater role in tackling inflation, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience.