Nigeria launches construction of the $510 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones

Nigeria

By Emmanuel Akyereko

Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, has taken a huge step to launch the construction of the $510 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the area Governor Uba Sani lead the groundbreaking for the first of the eight SAPZ projects.

The project is financed by African Development Bank and development partners. According to reports, the African Development Bank is investing $200 million in Phase One of the SAPZ. The Islamic Development Bank is contributing $150 million, the International Fund for Agricultural Development $100 million, and the Green Climate Fund $60 million.

Thousands of residents of Kaduna State in northern Nigeria braved the scorching sun and a late afternoon downpour to witness the event which is expected to chart a new path for the success of the West African nation.

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones are expected to transform Nigeria’s rural areas into thriving economies that will end years of importing food that can be produced locally, boost national food security, produce for the export market and create jobs for millions of young Nigerians.

Vice President Shettima stated that the initiative is targeted at empowering Nigerian youth.

“We are not merely breaking ground. We are building the infrastructure to feed our people, empower our youth, and fulfil the boundless promise of our nation. This is about the resilience of our farmers, the brilliance of our entrepreneurs, and our resolve to craft a future that thrives, guided by the African Development Bank’s leadership. The world races toward innovation. Nigeria will lead, not follow, with this zone as our foundation.”