The African Development Bank (AfDB) has onboarded 21 Nigerian states for the second phase of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SPA) Programme, which aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector through industrial development and improved food security.
The announcement was made by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, following the 146th meeting of the National Economic Council at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. Uzodinma revealed that the pilot phase of the programme is currently ongoing in Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River states, and the Federal Capital Territory, with various stages of completion.
“Impressed by the programme, a recent stakeholders’ meeting onboarded an additional 21 states, and the Council has urged all states to participate in this game-changing initiative,” Uzodinma stated.
In February 2024, AfDB’s Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, disclosed that the pilot states would soon receive the first tranche of $540 million for the programme. The funds are expected to develop Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SPAZs), with a focus on inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development.
Oyelaran-Oyeyinka emphasized that the initiative is a public-private partnership model. He stated, “It’s a government-enabled project but private-sector driven,” and added that states involved in phase two would need to meet eligibility criteria, including feasibility reports and environmental impact studies.
The key objectives of phase two include the development of infrastructure for agro-processing hubs, agricultural transformation centers, irrigated lands, farm-to-market access roads, and skills development for farmers and SMEs.
Additionally, the National Economic Council urged state governments to support the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in maintaining agricultural machinery, including solar-powered tractors.
With the programme poised to drive economic transformation in rural areas, many subnational governments have expressed interest in partnering with NASENI to help achieve its goals.
