ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Recently, the Vice President Kassim Shettima flagged off construction of Nigeria’s first Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), a game-changing project under President Bola Tinubu’s administration that could revolutionize agriculture and rural economies across the country.
With total investment of over $500 million, this is one of the largest agro-industrial projects in Africa
However, these are the things you need to know:
What is a SAPZ?
A Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone is a multi-billion-naira cluster where agro-processors, farmers, logistics firms, and support services work in one integrated location — right next to where food is grown. Think of it as a farm-to-factory revolution.
Why is it important?
Nigeria loses ₦3.5 trillion annually to post-harvest losses. SAPZs will directly address this by building the infrastructure (roads, storage, power, processing) needed to reduce waste, improve quality, and create jobs where farmers live.
Why do we need it ?
The government is not just breaking ground, they are building a future.” The Vice President described SAPZ as a “Presidential Priority Project” that will transform value chains, empower rural youth, and unlock private capital in agriculture in line with the renewed hope agenda.
Where is the Pilot Project?
It will interest you to note that the Kaduna SAPZ is the first of 8 zones backed by:
•@AfDB_Group (African Development Bank)
•@IsDB_Group (Islamic Development Bank)
•@IFAD (UN’s Intl Fund for Agricultural Development).
Is it a right investment venture?
Yes. No wonder the African Development President, Adesina said: “Kaduna didn’t just put money where its mouth is. It put money where its mind and body are.”
He called it a model for Africa and praised Kaduna’s speed, vision, and leadership..
Similarly, the Governor of Kaduna state, Sen Uba Sani has this to say; “This is a very important project.”He noted that Kaduna has committed ₦6 billion of its own funding as a clear signal that this project has state-level skin in the game.
What is the benefit?
Nigeria’s SAPZ strategy is more than just about farming. It is really about building agro-cities, expecting the value and supply chains, attracting billions in private investment, reducing food imports, and creating millions of rural jobs.
Precise Post recalls that 1President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is driving an agro-industrial revolution that meets Nigeria’s food security, industrial growth, and economic diversification goals in one sweep. If executed transparently with focus and determination, this is what modern agriculture looks like.
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