Latest news with #SAPZ
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
The African Development Bank approves an investment of US$100 million in Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms Limited.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank ( has approved an investment of $100 million in the industrial platform developer and operator Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms Ltd (Arise IIP) to contribute to funding industrial parks and special economic zones across Africa as a part of our industrialization strategic priority and flagship Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ). The industrial platforms developed and operated by Arise IIP are primarily dedicated to supporting the transformation of key agricultural and industrial value chains in African countries that are leading global suppliers of raw commodities but have limited local processing capabilities. The platforms will provide developed industrial land, shared infrastructure and utilities, good export connectivity and simplified administrative procedures to agro-industrial tenants, allowing them to relocate global supply chains and value addition within African countries, while contributing to the reduction of carbon footprint of trade flows. Arise IIP seeks to replicate its successful industrial platform implementation experience in Gabon, Togo and Benin by establishing Special Economic Zones across other African countries with the aim of improving Africa's export competitiveness and intra-Africa trade strategies. ' There is economic and social value to be added to African-grown commodities like timber, cashew, cocoa and cotton when they are processed locally instead of being exported in raw form. Through programs like the African Development Bank's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones and investments in Zones partner companies like Arise IIP, we enable transformative, private sector-led agro-industrialization that boosts local processing of commodities, creates jobs and grows rural economies,' said Dr. Beth Dunford, the African Development Bank's Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. Based on Arise IIP's existing portfolio in Gabon (Gabon Special Economic Zone - GSEZ), Benin (Glo Djigbe Industrial Zone - GDIZ) and Togo (Plateforme Industrielle d'Adetikope - PIA), it is estimated that over 400 companies have been on-boarded from 47 industry sectors, which has led to the creation of over 50,000 jobs. The dominant sectors include wood, glass, soya, cashew processing, cotton processing and textiles, ceramics, beverages, pharmaceuticals and meat processing. It is also estimated that over $7 billion has been mobilized by tenant companies within the existing zones. ' This investment in ARISE IIP is a signal of the Bank's commitment to scaling up industrialization in Africa in value chains where we are competitive. This is also a demonstration of the strategic partnership we have with African MFIs such as the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the Afreximbank's equity impact investment arm, who are the principal equity investors in ARISE IIP. This is a good demonstration of our joint goals of making Africa's capital work better for Africa's development ', said Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank's Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization. Gagan Gupta, CEO of Arise IIP, remarked, " The African Development Bank's investment highlights their confidence in our model as a driver of Africa's industrial growth. We are excited to strengthen our efforts in transforming local value chains, creating jobs, and supporting sustainable economic development across the continent. The dedication, vision, and hard work of the entire Arise team have been instrumental in building this partnership." Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media contacts: Alexis Adélé Communication and External Relations Department media@ For Arise IIP: Audrey Mebaley Global Head of Communications Arise IIP About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa's development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic developm ent and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: About Arise IIP: ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) is a pan-African developer and operator of world-class industrial parks committed to making Africa thrive. Arise IIP identifies opportunities in commercial and industrial value chains across Africa, and conceives, finances, builds and operates the necessary infrastructure, playing a catalytic role in supporting countries to transition to an industrial economy. Arise IIP is driven by the pursuit of green growth, with an ambition to unlock the continent's industrial potential while neutralizing carbon emissions and climate impact. (Website:
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria's Cross River State second to commence construction of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone
Nigeria's Cross River State became the second to mark construction of a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone after the country's Vice President Kashim Shettima and African Development Bank ( President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina broke ground at the project site on Thursday 10 April. The SAPZ aims to tackle food insecurity, enhance local production, and position Nigeria as a food export leader by leveraging Cross River's ports and research assets to boost global trade, reduce food imports, and drive prosperity through the agro-industrialization of crops like cocoa and cassava. The groundbreaking in Cross River follows that of Kaduna ( which took place few days earlier. Six other states - Kano, Kwara, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory – are included in Phase 1 of the $538 million SAPZ program, with plans to expand to the remaining 28 states this year pending the African Development Bank's Executive Board approval for Phase 2 funding. Shettima emphasized the project's priority and need for national collaboration: 'The SAPZ program has been recognized as a national priority for food security in Nigeria.' He noted, 'There is no better time than now for the federal and state governments, development partners, the private sector, and our communities to work hand in hand to ensure the success of the SAPZ project.' Adesina celebrated the milestone, saying, 'Today is a big day for Nigeria,' and added, 'The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones is bringing good news to Nigeria, State Governments and Local Governments. Good news to farmers, agribusinesses, and all rural areas of Nigeria. Good news of jobs, wealth, and prosperity with agriculture as a business. 'With the abundant arable land, cheap labor and vast agro-ecological areas, Nigeria should not be importing food,' said Adesina who was accompanied by his wife Grace Yemisi Adesina. The Bank Group president highlighted Cross River's export potential: 'Bakasi deep seaport will turn the state into a logistics hub in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea, enabling trade with Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.' The 130-hectare Agro-Industrial Hub in Adiabo will leverage the Calabar Sea Port, Bakassi Deep Sea Port, a 23 kVA power plant in Tinapa, and a 630 kVA Calabar Power Plant. Its Agricultural Transformation Centre, supported by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria and the University of Calabar, lies less than 45 minutes from Ikom, Etung, and Boki, boosting cocoa production for global markets. Governor Bassey Otu outlined the state's vision, saying, 'For us in Cross River State, the establishment of clusters of smallholder farmers focused on staple and cash crops such as rice, cassava, millet, cocoa, and oil palm is a vital step toward agro-industrialization.' 'These initiatives are aimed at strengthening food security, diversifying our state's economy toward export-oriented agriculture, and boosting our GDP,' added Governor Otu, saying the state should expect to see a big difference in two years. The African Development Bank Group is investing $210 million, including $50 million from its Africa Growing Together Fund. The Islamic Development Bank is contributing $150 million, the International Fund for Agricultural Development is contributing $100 million, the Green Climate Fund is contributing $60 million, and the government is contributing $18 million. Speaking during the occasion, the International Fund for Agricultural Development's Country Director, Dede Ekoue, noted that the SAPZ will build on the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project which has empowered 26,000 youth and women agripreneurs in the Niger Delta, including 4,000 in Cross River, with plans to scale to 100,000 by 2028. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said, 'The SAPZ program is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and import substitution. By investing in agro-processing development, we are investing in the future of our communities.' The African Development Bank Group has committed $934 million to SAPZs in 11 African countries. The 2024 Africa Investment Forum ( held in Morocco, recorded $2.2 billion in investor interest for 28 Nigerian states, which make up the second phase of the project. Adesina explained that with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, Nigeria will reduce food imports, conserve foreign exchange, expand local production and processing of food and agricultural commodities, strengthen the Naira, and attract significant private investment into the development of agricultural value chains. The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones will also revive and transform rural economies and create millions of jobs. Adesina was accompanied by the African Development Bank Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development Dr Beth Dunford, the Director General for Nigeria Dr Abdul Kamara, Prof Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation, Director Richard Ofori-Mante, Director of the Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department, and Dr Yusuf Kabir, National Coordinator for SAPZ, Nigeria. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Link to the photo Album: Contact: Natalie Nkembuh, Communication and External Relations Nkiruka Ugoh, Nigeria Country Department email: media@ About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria's Agro-Revolution: Construction of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) begins
Nigeria's food and agriculture sector is set to enter a new era of industrialization, as the Nigerian government, the African Development Bank ( and the State government of Kaduna kickstart the construction of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program. The groundbreaking ceremony starts in Kaduna on Tuesday, 8 April, where the chief guest, African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina, will join Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the State Governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani. From Kaduna, Dr Adesina will head to Cross River State, where, together with the Federal Government and the State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, a second groundbreaking ceremony will take place. The $538 million first phase of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones program project includes eight states: Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory. The program launched in 2022 with $210 million from the African Development Bank and support from the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms. The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones program will boost Nigeria's food production and reduction importation, generate jobs for youth, safeguard the country's foreign exchange, and transform rural areas from areas of misery into zones of prosperity. Last year, Nigeria spent $4.7 billion importing food. The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones program is designed to reverse this trend by unlocking local production potential and strengthening agro-industrial value chains nationwide. This initiative will increase agricultural productivity by over 60%, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen value chains from farm to market. The cities of Kaduna and Cross River will host the Agro-Industrial Hubs, Agricultural Transformation Centers, and Aggregation Centers in the production zones, which are the foundational building blocks of the SAPZ program. The program has the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs in each of the pioneering states. The sites were strategically selected for their agricultural potential, infrastructure readiness, and prime geographical location, ensuring they drive Nigeria's agro-industrial growth. For Kaduna, the focus will be on maize, soybeans, ginger, and tomatoes. Cross River will leverage its cocoa, cassava, and rice. Additionally, for both states, the SAPZ sites are located near major universities, such as Ahmadu Bello University in Kaduna and the University of Calabar in Cross River. Proximity to universities will provide access to research, innovation, and skilled human capital, further strengthening the agro-industrial transformation. Several other state governors, federal government officials, and development partners will attend the two groundbreaking ceremonies. With 37% of the African Development Bank Group's $5.1 billion Nigeria portfolio dedicated to private sector initiatives, Nigeria presents substantial opportunities for partnership in its ongoing development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Contact: Natalie Nkembuh Communication and External Relations media@
