President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has reiterated that Nigeria must rapidly industrialise if it is to transform its agricultural sector and compete as a global powerhouse.
Speaking at the launch of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in Kaduna State, Adesina announced a $2.2 billion investment drive to develop agricultural processing hubs in 28 states across the country. The initiative aims to bring processing facilities closer to farms, reduce post-harvest losses, and create thousands of jobs in rural areas.
“Nigeria’s agriculture cannot remain subsistence-based. We must turn it into a fully industrialised, value-adding enterprise,” Adesina said, stressing that food security, electrification, infrastructure, and private sector investment are critical for sustained growth.
The SAPZ programme, launched with an initial $500 million pledge in 2022, now has $3.4 billion committed by the AfDB and its partners to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The zones are designed to host agro-processing industries, connect farmers to markets, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on food imports, which totaled $4.7 billion in 2024.
Adesina warned that without urgent industrialisation, Nigeria risks economic stagnation. He emphasised that agro-industrial hubs, powered by reliable infrastructure and technology, will not only boost exports but also drive rural development.
The Kaduna launch marks a significant step in the AfDB’s strategy to transform African agriculture from “a way of life” into a profitable business sector that can feed the continent and compete internationally.
