Nigeria began its journey on Tuesday to significantly transform its food and agriculture sector by launching construction of a special $510 million Agricultural Industry Processing Zone (SAPZ) funded by the African Development Bank and Development Partners.
Thousands of residents of Kaduna, northern Nigeria, endured the sun and late afternoon rainfall in the rain for the first time in more than six months, witnessed Vice President Kasim Shettima, president of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Africa Adesina and regional governor Uba Sani, heading the groundbreaking of eight Saps projects.
The other seven states that form part of the Phase 1 program are Cross River, with landmarks taking place on Thursday, April 10th in the territory of Kano, Kwara, Imo, Ogan, Oyo and the federal capital. Preparations for the second phase of the program are underway, covering the remaining 28 states.
The special agricultural and industrial processing zone is expected to turn rural Nigeria into a prosperous economy that will end locally-produced food imports, boost national food security, produce for export markets and create jobs for millions of Nigerians.
Vice President Shettima said the SAPZ programme represents a national order under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “We are not just invading. We are building infrastructure to feed people, empower young people, and fulfill our nation’s infinite promises. Nigeria will guide this zone as our foundation.”
“Dr. Adesina has been pursuing this dream for the past 15 years, pursuing a dream that allows a lasting person to turn into reality. He is simply one of us best and pregnant with an idea.
Adesina, formerly serving as Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, said the groundbreaking person celebrated his long-standing dream.
“Now, 10 years from now, Nigeria has a dream of a staple food crop processing zone. Finally, as a special agricultural and industrial processing zone. What a wonderful day for Nigeria.
To increase resources for financing these zones in African countries, the African Development Bank has committed over $934 million for the development of special Agricultural Industry Processing Zones (SAPZ) and has committed over $938 million in joint funding from partners including the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
To make SAPZ successful across Nigeria, Adesina spelled out five important enablers including continuous strong political will and commitment at the highest level, continuity of government policy, and the need for continuous strong political will and commitment. This is both supported by codification of the SAPZ program and the establishment of SAPZ authorities, Adesina said.
Kaduna Governor Sen. Uba Sani said his state government has made agriculture a cornerstone of the development agenda. “For the past two years, we have supported our commitment to unprecedented investment,” he said. “In the 2023 budget we inherited, agriculture received just 1.4 billion naira ($885,000) and just 0.4% of the state budget. But in 2024, we increased this to 23.4 billion naira ($14.8 million) in 2025.
Kaduna is one of the country’s leading producers of ginger, corn and tomatoes. It is the second largest producer of wheat and has a huge herd of livestock.
The African Development Bank is investing $200 million in Phase 1 of SAPZ. The Islamic Development Bank has donated $150 million, the International Fund for Agricultural Development $100 million, and the Green Climate Fund has donated $60 million.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, called it “a massive leap and use private capital to enrich rural areas.”
“SAPZ has promised to provide quality seedlings and other inputs, so I am happy today. They will also buy from us as farmers,” the farmer’s Chinese herbalists said.
Special Agricultural Industry Processing Zones have been implemented at 27 sites in 11 countries, including Cote devoir, Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Togo, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Mali.
Other high-ranking officials attending the event include former Vice President Namadi Sambo and Lieutenant Governor Dr Hadiza Sabwa Bararabe.
President Adesina of the Banking Group was accompanied by Nigeria Oyelaran Kamala, Executive Director of Banks at Nigeria Oybode Oitunde, Professor Oybani Oyeraran Oyenka, Professor Oybani Oyeraran Oyenka, Professor Oybani Oyenka, Director of Agriculture, Director of Agriculture, Dr Abdul Kamala, Dr Beth Dunford, Vice President of Agriculture, Human and Social Development.
