BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Ministers, representatives of state governors and other stakeholders at a two-day meeting on implementing agro-industrial zones in Nigeria recently. PHOTO BY AfDB.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has sealed deal with governors to speed up the implementation of a programme designed to develop eight new agro-industrial zones in Nigeria.
This formed the crux of discuss during a two-day meeting in Abuja from October 7–8, attended by senior government and bank officials, and representatives of financing partners and the private sector.
Nigeria Special Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme was launched in 2022, with the aim to create new hubs that would integrate the production, processing and distribution of targeted crops and livestock to achieve food security, increase incomes, improve livelihoods, and support economic diversification.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun noted that the trimming inflation, growing reserves and stabilised exchange rates are pointer to the successes of President Bola Tinubu-led macroeconomic packages.
He stated that with the indices, SAPZ programme cannot and must not disappoint.
By significantly reducing over dependence on food imports and boosting exports, SAPZs are expected to bolster the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari harped on the need for the ministry to align its efforts at the Federal and State levels as well as with development.
He added that: "The momentum we gain here translates into tangible outcomes for the target beneficiaries, particularly those in rural areas where the SAPZs will have their greatest impact."
Already, the AfDB has mobilised about $538m in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the first phase of the SAPZ project, expected to be implemented in seven States and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director- General of AfDB's Nigeria Country Department, Dr. Abdul Kamara stated that the meetings were aimed at strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders, including the private sector.
He disclosed that the participants shared ideas and lessons learnt, as well as agreed on next practical steps to accelerate the implementation of Phase 1 of the programme, saying that other state governors will be captured in the next phase of the programme.
Emphasising the urgency of overcoming delays associated with programme implementation, the Senior Special Adviser to AfDB President on Industrialisation, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka informed that the rapid implementation and take-off of SAPZs provided a solution to the declining contribution of manufacturing and exports to Nigeria’s GDP.
The first phase of the Nigeria SAPZ programme will unlock about $1 billion in private sector investments, benefiting an estimated 1.5 million households, including private agribusinesses, agro-processors, smallholder farmers, agripreneurs, and agrodealers.
It will also create a minimum of 400,000 direct jobs and 1.6 million indirect jobs, especially for women and youth.
The second day of the meeting featured a workshop that brought together officials from the Federal and state governments, representatives of partner institutions, and private sector investors to discuss the programmes financial, procurement and operational processes, likewise an accelerated implementation plan.
Moderated by Senior Advisor on Communications and Stakeholder Engagement to AfDD president, Dr. Victor Oladokun, the forum also provided a platform to highlight the complementary roles of stakeholders.
While governments and financing institutions are expected to play a catalytic role, the private sector will focus on investing in the construction and operation of the key components of the zones: Agro Industrial Processing Hubs (AIHs) and Agricultural Transformation Centres (ATCs).
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