Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, launched the groundbreaking Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative, a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda. Located in Kaduna State, the SAPZ is strategically positioned to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector, creating employment opportunities, empowering youth, and fostering inclusive economic growth. Shettima emphasized that the initiative goes beyond mere infrastructure development, representing a commitment to empowering farmers, entrepreneurs, and the entire nation. The project is designed to address longstanding challenges in the agricultural value chain, such as inadequate infrastructure, market access limitations, and low value addition, ultimately modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and driving economic diversification.
The SAPZ initiative represents a strategic shift away from outdated agricultural practices, embracing innovation and modernization to unlock the sector’s full potential. Shettima stressed that the project is a “presidential priority,” demonstrating the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a powerhouse of economic growth and job creation. The project promises to not only feed the nation but also empower its youth and fulfill the economic aspirations of the country. The initiative’s focus on empowering people underscores its potential to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all Nigerians.
African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, highlighted the importance of sustained political will and policy consistency for the success of the SAPZ program. He emphasized that policy uncertainty can cripple development initiatives, stressing the need for governments to create and maintain a stable policy environment that supports all stakeholders, from farmers to investors. Adesina revealed that the AfDB has committed significant financial resources to SAPZ projects across Africa, further underscoring their belief in the initiative’s transformative potential. He warned against policy reversals and governance changes, urging African governments to adopt a long-term perspective when implementing development programs to ensure their sustainability.
Dr. Adesina emphasized that the SAPZ program, developed over 11 years, is designed to directly address food insecurity and economic disparity, two persistent challenges facing the African continent. The program’s core strategy revolves around integrating smallholder farmers into value chains, stimulating job creation, and modernizing agricultural systems. While funding and technology are critical, Adesina cautioned that consistent policies form the backbone of successful implementation. He cited examples of past projects that faltered due to inconsistent policies, highlighting the critical role of stable governance in achieving long-term development goals.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, emphasized the SAPZ program’s potential to attract significant investment into locally produced agricultural products. The initiative is being rolled out in eight strategic locations across the country, with a second phase already in the pipeline. Kyari highlighted the ministry’s commitment to fostering innovation in the agricultural sector and its belief that the SAPZ will transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, empower farmers, and uplift the nation. The multi-location approach underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring widespread impact and equitable distribution of benefits across the country.
Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Dabo, expressed his strong support for the SAPZ initiative, recognizing its potential to transform Kaduna State into a hub for agro-processing and create thousands of jobs. He commended Dr. Adesina’s commitment to food security and emphasized the importance of agriculture as a driver of inclusive development. Dabo highlighted Kaduna State’s strategic geographical advantage and its focus on key crops, emphasizing the state’s readiness to leverage the SAPZ for significant economic growth and job creation. The governor’s commitment underscores the strong partnership between the federal and state governments in driving the SAPZ initiative forward.
