Nigeria has committed a whopping $538.05 million to the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.
The Programme is designed to help “boost agricultural productivity, accelerate agro-industrialization.”
The disclosure of Nigeria’s financial commitment to SAZP Programme was made known by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, while addressing the Plenary Session on Transforming Food Systems in Complex Settings at the ongoing United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In Nigeria, the SAZP Programme is being implemented by the AfDB, IFAD, Islamic Development Bank, alongside, other key development partners, and it is projected to bring “$1 billion in total investments” by 2027.
According to Shettima’s official X account: “Meanwhile, Vice President @KashimSM also addressed the Plenary Session on Transforming Food Systems in Complex Settings, where he disclosed that Nigeria has already committed $538.05 million to the first phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme— a flagship initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving rural livelihoods, and accelerating agro-industrialisation.
““The SAPZ programme in Nigeria is being implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank (@AfDB_Group), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (@IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (@isdb_group), and other key development partners. The initiative is projected to attract $1 billion in total investments by 2027, reduce post-harvest losses by 80%, and has already generated over 785,000 jobs across targeted regions,” he noted.
“Vice President @KashimSM added that African youths hold the key to the continent’s agri-food future, and thus, no stone should be left unturned in mobilising this greatest asset.
“He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity, noting that the administration of President @officialABAT has declared a State of Emergency on Food Security, reactivated over 500,000 hectares of arable land, deployed strategic food reserves, and expanded access to seeds and extension services.”
