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NSDC Says Reforms Created Pathways For Sugar Self-sufficiency

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

The Nigeria Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has disclosed that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu created pathways for sugar self-sufficiency, given that the priority was to translate economic stability into growth and improved livelihoods.

This is even as the agency stated that sugar production was closely linked to the beverage industry, describing the relationship as an integrated value chain extending from sugarcane farms to bottled drinks.

Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin revealed this at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit while speaking on policy coordination for the non-alcoholic drinks sector.

The National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0 targets self-sufficiency, with projected annual foreign exchange savings of US$1 billion  and 110,000 direct jobs, making local sugar production more attractive to investors.

Bakrin noted that the jobs would largely benefit rural communities, while sugar estates could support infrastructure development through roads, schools, clinics and electricity generation

He stated that brownfield investors had committed to producing 1.22 million tonnes of sugar annually by 2030, two years ahead of the master plan’s 2032 timeline, noting that greenfield projects were expected to contribute another 830,000 tonnes annually by 2030.

The NSDC boss informed that consistent government policies were essential to sustaining investor confidence, as the sugar estates require at least four years to reach full production.

He enjoined policymakers to assess how decisions affecting the sugar and beverage industries could influence investment, employment and the implementation of the master plan.

Bakrin called on beverage manufacturers to support local sugar production through offtake commitments, outgrower programmes, market information and investments under the Backward Integration Programme.

He added: “When Government protects the conditions for demand, and industry commits to local supply, the whole value chain grows, and the jobs stay in Nigeria.”

The ES requested that the Nigeria Industrial Policy Sectoral Competitiveness and Growth Initiative align its interventions with the National Sugar Master Plan.






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