AfDB’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone to begin in 7 Nigerian States
The African Development Bank (AfDB) says that the $538 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) would begin in 7 Nigerian states namely Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Ogun, and Oyo, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director-General of AfDB Nigeria, Mr. Lamin Barrow, disclosed this at a Strategic Partners and Investors Meeting of the SAPZ in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to Mr. Barrow, the five-year SAPZs project in the selected areas would boost productivity, create 8 agro-industrial processing hubs, 15 Agricultural Transformation Centers, and 2,300 hectares of irrigated lands.
It would also supply certified agricultural inputs, and provide extension services like training and skills development.
“The private sector has a critical role to play in the SAPZs, and we are pleased that several private sector firms, domestic and foreign have expressed keen interest to be located in these zones.
“The implementation of the SAPZs through a public-private partnership framework is, therefore, anchored on a clear division of labour among the actors,” he said.
Speaking further, the Associate Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Ms. Katherine Meighan, said Nigeria with over 88% arable land is well positioned as a powerhouse for agro-industrialization across the continent.
Meanwhile, the project – Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) is an integrated development initiative aimed at concentrating agro-processing activities within areas of high agricultural potential to boost productivity and integrate the production, processing, and marketing of selected commodities.
It is also financed by the International Fund for Agriculture Development and the Islamic Development Bank.
Source: Agro Nigeria
