IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATIONS (HACCP, FDA, etc.) FOR NIGERIAN FOOD & AGRO COMMODITIES EXPORTERS INCLUDING SMALL & MEDIUM ENTREPRISES (MSMEs) FOOD PROCESSORS
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council in its efforts at implementing the Federal Government economic diversification agenda is continuing its non-oil export development drive with focus on enhancing capacity and export-readiness of value chain actors in various sectors. The objective is to improve the quality and standards of non-oil exportable products by providing practitioners with the requisite knowledge of the importing countries requirements and imbibing best practices.
The intensive competition in the global market by countries and companies competing for market access and market share for their products makes it imperative that exportable products particularly value-added and processed food items must have additional Non-mandatory (Voluntary) Certifications. Food safety, hygiene and adherence to quality standards are the minimum that an exporting entity must imbibe and practice to compete globally. Therefore, certification of a product or of a process to ensure high level of compliance to quality standards provides measure of trust and confidence in the product; thus, making easy access to both domestic and export markets.
The implementation of the AfCFTA makes it imperative that Nigerian SMEs particularly food processors are prepared to enable them compete continentally and globally, geared at ensuring that Nigeria benefits maximally from AfCFTA and impact positively the nation’s non-oil export growth.
In view of the above and in line with NEPC’s #Operation Double Your Export campaign, interested exporters of agricultural commodities and MSMEs who are into production/manufacturing of value-added products especially processed food items and cosmetics are requested to apply to the Council for free implementation of Voluntary Certifications including HACCP, FDA, amongst others.
Interested exporters and MSMEs should apply to the Council via https://bit.ly/NEPC2026certification, or by scanning the qr code below:
Applicants are requested to send ONLY ONE PRODUCT PER PRODUCT LINE AS SAMPLE to the NEPC Headquarters for assessment, prior to final selection. Sending more than one piece of sample per product line could lead to disqualification. Application should reach the NEPC latest by Friday 10th October, 2026.
Applicants would be assessed based on the following criteria:
Possession of NEPC Registration Certificate
Export-readiness of the MSME
Export potential of the product(s)
Product(s) Packaging/labeling outlook
Possession of Mandatory Certifications (NAFDAC, NIS, etc.) will be added advantage.
Other export-related factors
Please note that NEPC will not be responsible for renewal of expired certificate issued in the course of the free voluntary certification exercise.
Suitably qualified exporters and MSMEs from the application will go through a briefing and selection process.
For more information on the free Voluntary Certification offered by the Council, please call any of the followings:
Paul 08037981552
Blessing 08075445583
Annie 09039660286
You can also reach us via NEPC connect channels:
07069621876
@officialnepc
Successful MSME applicants who scaled through the selection process will thereafter proceed through the chain of certification activities covering: training, audit and eventual implementation of the required certification systems.
Nonye Ayeni
Executive Director/CEO
Signed
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