Nigeria secures AfDB backing for agric expansion as SAPZ extends to 24 states

Nigeria has secured fresh commitments from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme from its current coverage of eight states and the FCT to 24 states nationwide.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made the request during a bilateral meeting with AfDB President, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.

Shettima noted that Nigeria, as AfDB’s largest shareholder with a portfolio exceeding $10 billion, is keen to scale up the SAPZ initiative as part of efforts to diversify the economy through value-added agriculture.

“You assisted us with $300 million when you were in Liberia. We thank you, but like Oliver Twist, we ask for more.

Nigeria has the potential across all agro-ecological zones — from the mangrove swamps in the South to the Sahel in the North. We can grow virtually anything,” Shettima said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.

The Vice President also called on the bank to channel more support into innovation-driven enterprises, highlighting the digital economy as a key driver of Africa’s future.

He cited Nigeria’s dominance in Africa’s tech ecosystem, with five of the continent’s eight unicorns emerging from the country.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, appealed for AfDB’s backing of Nigeria’s National Great Green Wall project, designed to combat desertification and deforestation across 11 frontline states.

He also linked the initiative to Nigeria’s clean cooking policy, aimed at reducing environmental degradation and health risks.

Similarly, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, urged the bank to provide substantial funding to help address Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Responding, AfDB President Tah pledged stronger support, outlining his vision to reposition the bank as a catalyst for mobilising global resources to Africa.

He identified four priorities: large-scale capital mobilisation, reform of Africa’s financial architecture, harnessing the demographic dividend for job creation, and industrialising Africa through value addition and infrastructure.

Strengthening Africa-Caribbean ties
On the sidelines of UNGA, Shettima also met with St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Terrance Drew, where both leaders agreed to deepen Africa-Caribbean economic and cultural cooperation.

Shettima emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to rekindling historical ties with Caribbean nations, describing the shared heritage of African descent, Commonwealth membership, and cultural similarities as strong grounds for partnership.

“Going forward, we should support one another’s interests.

“What binds us together far outweighs what divides us,” the Vice President said, recalling President Bola Tinubu’s earlier outreach to the Caribbean during his visit to Saint Lucia.

Dr. Drew, in turn, expressed concern over the low level of trade and engagement between the Caribbean and Africa, while pledging closer collaboration with Nigeria to unlock opportunities on the continent.