By Brandon Moss 

Lagos, Nigeria — In a landmark move to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, the African Development Bank (AfDB), in collaboration with global partners, has mobilised $2.2 billion to roll out Phase Two of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) initiative. The funding will support the development of agro-industrial hubs across 24 states, marking a significant expansion from the initial eight-state pilot.

The announcement was made by AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina during the 2025 Standard Chartered Bank Africa Summit in Lagos, where he outlined the bank’s vision for agricultural transformation through industrialisation.

From Pilot to Nationwide Impact

The SAPZ initiative, launched in Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kwara, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory, is designed to catalyse rural economic growth by clustering agro-processing activities in zones equipped with modern infrastructure.

Adesina emphasised that the second phase will build on the success of the pilot, aiming to enhance food security, boost domestic production, and create thousands of jobs. “We’re not just investing in agriculture—we’re investing in the future of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

Global Partnerships Driving Transformation

The $2.2 billion mobilisation includes $938 million in co-financing from key development partners such as:

• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• West African Development Bank (BOAD)

These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential through value addition and industrialisation.

Agro-Industrial Platforms: The Next Frontier

Adesina stressed the importance of building industrial platforms that enable African countries to move up the agricultural value chain. “We must shift from exporting raw commodities to processing and adding value locally,” he said.

To date, the AfDB has committed over $934 million to SAPZ development across Africa.The zones are designed to attract private sector investment, reduce post-harvest losses, and integrate smallholder farmers into formal value chains.

A Continental Vision
Beyond Nigeria, SAPZs are being developed in 27 sites across 11 African countries. The AfDB and its partners have launched the Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, with $3 billion in commitments to accelerate the initiative continent-wide.

“The SAPZ model is a game-changer,” Adesina said. “It’s about creating ecosystems where agriculture meets industry, and where rural areas become engines of economic growth.”