Latest news with #agroprocessing
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria Expands Agro-Industrial Footprint with New Processing Hub in Oyo State
Oyo SAPZ will host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers. A great honour to do this on my last official visit to Nigeria as President of the African Development Bank Group ( – Adesina Nigeria has launched a new Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Oyo State, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to boost agricultural transformation, job creation and rural industrialization. The groundbreaking ceremony, held in the Ijaiye community near Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by national and international dignitaries, including the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who was making his final official visit to Nigeria in that role. Also in attendance were the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari. The Oyo site is the third to be developed under the national SAPZ program, and the first in southwest Nigeria. It follows earlier launches in Kaduna and Cross River States in April 2025. According to Dr. Adesina, "I believe that Nigeria can and must be a global powerhouse in agriculture. But you need investments to be able to do that. You also need industrial platforms that will connect primary agricultural production all the way to how you store products, how you process and add value, and how you ship to be able to sell. And that is what the special agro-industrial processing zones are really about.' The program is financed by the African Development Bank, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Nigeria's federal and state governments. Together, they have committed $538 million to the first phase of the program, covering seven states and the Federal Capital Territory. Covering 3,000 hectares, with 300 hectares designated for immediate development, the Oyo SAPZ is expected to host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers. Oyo State Governor Makinde hailed the launch as a fulfilment of promises made: 'Today is about promises kept. It is a strategic step on the journey of sustainable development. These hubs bring producers closer to processors and link farms to markets. They reflect our government's belief that agriculture is not just about food, it is about infrastructure, enterprise and national relevance. We're building a future where agriculture feeds not just homes, but industries; where it doesn't just sustain families but entire economies.' Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari highlighted the SAPZ initiative's alignment with national priorities: 'Today's event exemplifies the spirit of partnership and shared vision that is vital to our nation's progress. The SAPZ initiative is one of the cornerstones of the renewed hope agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a vision rooted in restoring Nigeria's dignity, unlocking our vast potentials and creating opportunities for every citizen.' Dr. Adesina underscored the transformative vision behind SAPZs, calling them essential to unlocking agricultural value chains and lifting millions out of poverty. 'The export of primary commodities is the door to poverty. The export of value-added commodities and products is a highway to wealth. It doesn't really matter what you have in terms of agricultural commodities, whether it is cocoa or coffee, or grains; if you're not adding value to it, it's actually going to make you poor. So, what we're doing here is to be able to unlock that value,' Adesina stressed. 'Our goal is very clear. It's to reduce massive post-harvest losses, develop logistics, and improve linkages between farm production, agro-processing, and value addition, transform rural economies, and, of course, to create jobs.' He outlined three critical pillars for the success of the SAPZs: political will, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. 'What we are witnessing today would not have happened without intense collaboration,' he noted. Reflecting on his 10-year tenure as President of the African Development Bank, Adesina highlighted milestones achieved under his leadership, including the Bank's capital increase from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024, and the two-time ranking of its sovereign portfolio as the most transparent among multilateral development banks globally The SAPZ initiative is a flagship of the Bank's 'Feed Africa' strategy, launched by Adesina in 2015. The zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigerian program being the largest. The chairperson of the Ijaiye Farm Settlers Association, David Olatunji, described Saturday's groundbreaking ceremony as 'a memorable opportunity' for the community and the state. 'We have a lot of unbroken forests around us, and the farmers are ready to work!' he declared. Dr. Adebowale Adeyeye, an agripreneur specializing in soyabean and cashew production and processing, said: 'The SAPZ project in Ijaiye is a strategic boost for businesses like ours. With targeted government support in areas like power, road access, and security, it creates the kind of enabling environment we need to scale operations, reduce costs, and attract long-term investment. It's a move that will strengthen agribusiness value chains and enhance overall competitiveness.' The SAPZ Programme is working to transform Nigeria's rural economy into zones of prosperity, by facilitating industrial processing, expanding market access, and attracting private sector investment. The Zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigeria program being the largest. Dr. Kabir Yusuf, National Coordinator of SAPZ Nigeria, announced plans to expand the program to an additional 10 states from September 2025, marking the beginning of the second phase that will cover the remaining States in the country. Adesina was accompanied by senior Bank officials, including the Director General for Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara; Senior Special Adviser on Industrialization, Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka; and Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department, Richard Ofori-Mante. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
President Mahama leads initiative to transform Ghana into an export-driven economy
President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated an Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee, a strategic initiative to propel Ghana towards becoming a leading export-driven economy. The 19-member committee, chaired by the President himself, will lead the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy policy, prioritising value addition and economic diversification through strong partnerships with the private sector, particularly in agro-processing and light manufacturing. President Mahama, an advocate for job creation and national development under his #ResettingGhana agenda, emphasised the critical role of the Committee in achieving ambitious economic goals. 'Through targeted incentives and strategic partnerships, we will scale up local production and participation in the value chain,' Mahama stated during the inauguration. 'Our 24-hour economy strategy will complement this ambition by developing focused value chains including cassava, tomato, palm oil, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, and industrial machinery.' The President expressed confidence that implementing the export development strategies would lower the national unemployment rate from 14.7% to below 5% by 2034. To facilitate efficient export operations, the government will invest heavily in modernising critical infrastructure, including upgrading and expanding ports, revitalising the Volta Lake Transport Company, developing the Mpakadan Port, operationalising the Boankra Inland Port, and expanding cold chain infrastructure to support the fisheries and horticultural sectors. The Accelerated Export Development Programme and the National Export Development Strategy are central to achieving these goals. 'We aim to grow Ghana's non-traditional export earnings from $3.5 billion annually to at least $10 billion by 2030,' President Mahama affirmed. The Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee will foster close collaboration with the private sector, development partners, academia, and regional institutions to address export barriers, identify emerging opportunities, and drive coordinated reforms. The Committee will be supported by the 24-hour economy secretariat, the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and other relevant agencies to ensure a seamless transition from strategic planning to tangible results. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACCELERATED EXPORT DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. HE John Dramani Mahama 2. Mr Goosie Tanoh 3. Hon. Dr Cassiel Ato Forson (MP) 4. Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare (MP) 5. Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP) 6. Hon. Eric Opoku (MP) 7. Hon. Dominic Ayine (MP) 8. Mr Anthony K. Sarpong 9. Professor John Gatsi 10. Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono 11. Gerald Nrako Mensah 12. Dr Akushika Andoh 13. Dr Eben Anuwa-Amarh 14. Kwesi Korboe 15. Sampson Asaki Awingobit 16. Jacob Ainoo Ansah 17. Gabriel Opoku Asare 18. Gerald Nyarko Mensah 19. Davies Narh Korboe Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
