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African Development Bank (AFDB) has revealed that it will launch a phase one of the $ 538 million special agro-industry program in Kaduna on April 8 and at the Cross River on April 10, 2025.
The Special Agro-Industry Processing Zone (SAPZ) is part of a strategic initiative in Nigeria which aims to promote agricultural industrialization.
In a statement on Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Development Bank said the launch of the Nigeria Phagoff Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) was a transformative step towards agro-industrial development.
This event, according to AFDB in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and Main Partners, including Islamic Development Banks, International Funds for Agricultural Development, and African Grow Together funds.
The statement reads, “Nigeria will revolutionize its agricultural landscape when construction begins in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Project (SAPZ)-The main initiative of the African feed feed strategy African African Bank,” The statement reads.
“Kaduna and cross river countries will lead this agricultural transformation, marking important changes in the Nigerian approach to agribusiness and food safety.
“The Nigerian Federal Government, in a strategic partnership with the African Development Bank Group and Main International Partners – Islamic Development Bank, International Funds for Agricultural Development, and Africa Grow with Funds – will inaugurate the implementation of Phase 1 of the SAPZ program.
“This is a brave step towards comprehensive agro -industry development throughout the country.”
According to the statement, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Akinwumi Adesina, AFDB President, will lead this initiative, officially launching construction in Kaduna and Cross River.
“With an unprecedented investment of $ 538 million, SAPZ phase 1 was established as the largest program of the African development bank in any African country until now,” the statement said.
“The first stone laying ceremony is scheduled for April 8 in the state of Kaduna and April 10 in the State of Cross River – on time intervention when Nigeria faces challenges that increase food vulnerability and seek economic diversification.”
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The statement also said the initiative to realize the commitment of the Tinubu Bola President to increase food security, create a sustainable job, and revitalize the economy of the sacrifice through innovative public-private partnerships.
“The leading private sector partner will be the spearhead of the design, development and operation of these zones, making a blueprint for sustainable agro-industry growth,” he said.
“The launch will catalyze the momentum for SAPZ Phase 2, with 28 additional countries have been positioned to join this agricultural revival.
“Remember that the bank increases the commitment of $ 2.2 billion that has never happened before in the new African Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco for Nigerian Phase 2. The lesson picked from phase 1 will lead to faster implementation than the next phase.”
In December 2021, AFDB announced that his advitation approved a loan of $ 210 million for the financial phase of one of the Sapz Nigeria program.
The amount consists of $ 160 million from AFDB and $ 50 million from Africa which grew up with funds.
However, in February, the Bank expressed disappointment about the implementation of SAPZ, describing the overall performance of the first phase of the program as “problematic.”
According to the statement, Adesina said the program was aimed at changing Nigeria into a global agribusiness leader by strategically utilizing joint expertise and private sector expertise.
“The special agro-industrial processing zone is about developing new economic zones throughout Africa close to where farmers are located,” he said.
“These zones have infrastructure that is possible – strength, water, roads, irrigation – and today, we invest more than $ 3 billion in more than 11 countries.”
He stressed that transformation without agricultural transformation is incomplete “because agriculture touches the lives of people at the grassroots level”.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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