Vice President Kashim Shettima has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Kaduna, saying it a milestone in President Tinubu’s plan to industrialise Nigeria’s agriculture sector and create sustainable jobs across all states in the country.
The SAPZ is part of a larger national programme, with Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) among States in the first phase of the project.
Aimed at transforming Nigeria’s agriculture through innovation, private-sector investment, and strategic public partnerships, the zones are designed to create agro-industrial hubs that integrate farmers with processors, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand rural economic opportunities.
Addressing stakeholders at the land designated for the facility in Daki-Takwas, along Kaduna -Abuja, Expressway, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Vice President Shettima described the SAPZ as a “presidential priority project” and a direct response to the challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, which includes poor infrastructure, limited access to markets, and low value addition.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, described the SAPZ as a strategic investment designed to accelerate industrial development in Nigeria.
He said, “The SAPZ is a huge investment designed to position Kaduna State as a major player in Nigeria’s industrial development.”
Governor Sani emphasised agriculture’s central role in Kaduna’s economy, saying it contributes 42% to the State’s GDP and employs 60% of the state workforce.
Also, President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina highlighting the significance of agricultural industrialization in the state’s economic growth revealed that the AfDB has committed over $934 million towards the SAPZ programme across Africa, with an additional $938 million mobilised from partners.
“The initiative is currently being implemented in 27 sites across 11 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Madagascar.
The SAPZ programme is supported by international development partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
