by Israel@SEF | Apr 1, 2025 | Stories
When evaluating manufacturing investments, many focus exclusively on the end product. But our experience has shown that the real opportunity often lies in strengthening the supply chains that make production possible.
Consider our investment in food processing. While the facility itself creates jobs and increases the value of agricultural products, we’ve discovered that some of the most significant returns come from improving how materials move from farms to production lines.
By investing in collection centers closer to farms, providing training on quality standards, and creating more transparent pricing systems, we’ve seen dramatic improvements in both raw material quality and farmer incomes. These supply chain improvements reduce waste, improve consistency, and build stronger relationships with suppliers.
One palm oil processor we work with reduced input costs by 12% not by squeezing farmers on price, but by helping them improve harvesting techniques that preserved oil content during transport. The farmers earned more for higher-quality fruit, while the processor gained efficiency – a genuine win-win.
For investors considering manufacturing opportunities in Nigeria, looking one step back in the value chain often reveals the most impactful investments. Strengthening these connections between production and raw materials doesn’t just improve business outcomes – it creates resilience throughout the economic ecosystem.
The most valuable manufacturing investments address the entire production journey, not just the final assembly line.
by Israel@SEF | Apr 1, 2025 | Stories
The old real estate mantra “location, location, location” needs an update. When we developed Emerald Estates in Abuja, we learned that today’s definition of a prime location is more complex than proximity to city centers or scenic views.
Modern homebuyers and businesses are looking for connected locations – places that offer not just physical convenience but lifestyle integration. This means different things to different people: reliable internet infrastructure, community spaces, access to quality education, or walkable neighborhoods.
In planning our Business Park Developments, we’ve seen how companies increasingly value locations that help them attract talent. This means considering not just transport links but nearby amenities that improve work-life balance. One tech company CEO explained their location decision: “We chose your business park because our developers can walk to lunch options, find housing nearby, and don’t face soul-crushing commutes.”
For residential developments, security and community have become central to location value. Gated developments aren’t just selling security but a sense of belonging and social infrastructure.
The most successful real estate investors today understand that location value is created, not just discovered. It’s about anticipating how people want to live and work, then creating spaces that facilitate those aspirations. The best locations aren’t just about where you are on a map – they’re about how that place enhances daily life.
by Israel@SEF | Apr 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
When we started supplying irrigation pumps to farmers in Taraba State, we expected to see increases in crop yields. What we didn’t fully anticipate was how these simple devices would transform entire farming households.
For many farmers, irrigation meant not just better harvests but a fundamental shift in how they approached farming. With reliable water access, they could grow crops year-round instead of depending solely on the rainy season. This changed everything – from how families managed cash flow to how they planned for their children’s education.
One farmer told us, “Before, I had one chance each year to make money. If the rains were bad or prices were low at harvest, my family suffered. Now I harvest three times a year. I can wait for better prices or try different crops if something isn’t working.”
This resilience – the ability to adapt, experiment, and recover from setbacks – might be the most valuable crop we’re helping to cultivate. When we evaluate agricultural investments now, we look beyond the immediate productivity gains to understand how they might create this kind of flexibility for farming families.
The most successful agricultural investments don’t just add water to crops – they add options to farmers’ lives.
