FG Unveils 538.05m SAPZ Investment to Boost Food Security!

Reported by David Joshua | Sele Media Africa

The Federal Government has committed 538.05 million to the first phase of the Special Agro‑Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative, aiming to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and strengthen its food systems amid rising insecurity and inflation. [1]

The announcement was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a plenary session on transforming food systems at the United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [2]

Shettima said the SAPZ programme is being implemented in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and other development partners. [2]

According to the vice president:

• The initiative is projected to attract $1 billion in total investments by 2027 [1]
• It aims to reduce post‑harvest losses by 80% [2]
• It has so far generated over 785,000 jobs across targeted regions [1]
  The programme’s launch included ground‑breaking ceremonies in Kaduna and Cross River states, two of the pilot zones selected for Phase 1 implementation. [3]

SAPZ is expected to transform rural agricultural clusters into integrated industrial zones, providing infrastructure such as power, roads, water, and digital connectivity to encourage processing, value addition, and reduced wastage. [4]

As part of the broader strategy, the government also unveiled a 10‑year youth‑centered Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) to drive agricultural innovation and ensure sustained impact. [5]

This bold investment marks one of the largest agricultural commitments in Nigeria’s recent history, underlining the Tinubu administration’s determination to address food insecurity and reposition agriculture as a pillar of economic growth.

Citations:

1. Nairametrics: nairametrics.com/2025/07/30/nigeria-commits-538-million-to-agro-industrial-zones-unveils-10-year-youth-led-agricultural-plan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. TheCable: www.thecable.ng/shettima-says-nigeria-has-committed-538m-to-first-phase-of-sapz-project/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/04/kaduna-cross-river-lead-as-afdb-launches-538m-sapzs-in-nigeria/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. fct.sapz.gov.ng: fct.sapz.gov.ng/african-development-bank-and-partners-launch-520-million-special-agro-industrial-processing-zones-to-transform-nigerias-agriculture/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
   5.thenationonlineng.net: thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-unveils-youth-centred-10-year-agricultural-renewal-plan-at-un-food-summit/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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