Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the SAPZ in Dakin Takwas village along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway on Tuesday, the Vice President remarked that it’s no surprise Kaduna State is leading the way in the programme’s implementation.
Shettima praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for designating the SAPZ as a priority initiative, emphasizing that the program represents "the resilience of our farmers, the creativity of our processors and entrepreneurs, and the dedication of our government and development partners to building a future that benefits all."
However, the Vice President stressed that Nigeria cannot unlock its full agricultural potential by clinging to outdated processing methods. “We can’t afford to remain tied to old systems while the rest of the world pushes forward with innovation,” he said.
He explained that under the SAPZ initiative, farmers will partner with private investors and entrepreneurs, noting that “sustainable agribusiness connections will boost productivity, promote value addition, and drive lasting private sector growth.”
Shettima noted that Kaduna State holds significant agricultural and agro-industrial potential due to its rich natural resources and extensive arable land, positioning it “at the forefront of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.”
He expressed concern, saying, “The vision of agro-industrialisation has long been hindered by limited access to financing and markets, poor infrastructure, and inadequate agro-processing facilities.”
“These obstacles have undermined farmers' efforts and slowed the progress of our rural economy,” he added, assuring that the SAPZ initiative will help rewrite that story for the better.
The Vice President also acknowledged the unwavering support of international development partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Earlier at the event, Governor Uba Sani remarked that the SAPZ would help transition agriculture from basic production to processing, value addition, and full-scale industrialisation.
He described SAPZ as a transformative initiative aimed at uniting agricultural production, processing, and marketing by centralizing agro-industrial operations in strategic locations.
He noted that the Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC) in Dutsen-Wai, Kubau Local Government Area, will offer vital infrastructure for crop collection, processing, and storage—particularly for major crops like maize, tomatoes, and ginger.
In addition, the Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) in Daki-Takwas, Chikun LGA—strategically positioned along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway—will become a central hub for agro-processing industries, logistics services, and export-driven agribusiness ventures.
“By clustering these activities, we aim to cut post-harvest losses, boost efficiency, generate thousands of jobs, and stimulate growth across various sectors,” he said.
The Governor also emphasized that the project will strengthen Kaduna State’s position in the export market, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has attributed the successful launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Kaduna State to the effective and result-driven leadership of Governor Uba Sani.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held Tuesday in Dakin Takwas village along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, Shettima said it's no surprise that Kaduna is leading the way in the implementation of this initiative.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for identifying SAPZ as a top priority for his administration, noting that the project reflects “the resilience of our farmers, the innovation of our processors and entrepreneurs, and the dedication of both government and development partners to creating an inclusive future.”
However, the Vice President emphasized that Nigeria’s agricultural potential cannot be fully unlocked if outdated methods of processing continue to dominate. “We cannot remain tied to old systems while the rest of the world races toward innovation,” he warned.
Shettima explained that the SAPZ framework promotes collaboration between farmers, private investors, and entrepreneurs. This model, he said, will foster sustainable agribusiness partnerships, enhance productivity, boost value addition, and stimulate long-term private sector growth.
Highlighting Kaduna’s abundant arable land and rich natural resources, Shettima noted that the state is well-positioned to lead Nigeria’s agricultural revolution.
Despite this potential, he expressed concern over long-standing challenges such as poor access to financing and markets, inadequate infrastructure, and subpar agro-processing facilities. “These issues have stalled rural development and hindered farmers' efforts,” he remarked, assuring that SAPZ is set to turn the tide.
Shettima also appreciated the vital contributions of international partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), for supporting the project.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Uba Sani described the SAPZ as a transformative initiative that will take agriculture beyond raw production and into value-added processing and industrialization.
He explained that SAPZ is designed to bring together agricultural production, processing, and marketing in concentrated hubs. The Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC) in Dutsen-Wai, Kubau LGA, will serve as a key site for aggregation, storage, and processing of high-demand crops such as maize, tomatoes, and ginger.
Meanwhile, the Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) in Daki-Takwas, Chikun LGA, strategically located along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, will be a central point for agro-processing, logistics, and export-oriented agribusiness.
“By clustering these activities, we will reduce post-harvest losses, boost operational efficiency, create thousands of jobs, and drive economic growth across sectors,” the Governor said.
He added that the SAPZ will firmly position Kaduna as a key player in regional trade, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With proper infrastructure, Kaduna’s agricultural products will be well-placed to access regional and global markets.
“This initiative will not only increase our export capacity and bring in foreign exchange but also contribute to improving Nigeria’s trade balance and stabilizing the exchange rate,” he noted.
To support the SAPZ further, Governor Sani announced the development of an Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), backed by Afrexim Bank. The facility, the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, will ensure agricultural products meet top quality standards through world-class testing, certification, and compliance services.
“This means our farmers and agro-industries won’t just produce more—they’ll produce better, meeting the requirements of premium and export markets,” he concluded.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has attributed the successful implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Kaduna State to Governor Uba Sani’s focused and results-driven leadership.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday in Dakin Takwas village along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, Shettima remarked that it is no surprise Kaduna is taking the lead in rolling out the SAPZ initiative.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing SAPZ as one of his administration’s flagship projects, highlighting that the programme represents “the strength of our farmers, the creativity of our processors and entrepreneurs, and the shared commitment of our government and international partners to building a future that works for all.”
However, Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s agricultural transformation cannot be achieved by sticking to outdated systems. “We must move beyond traditional processing methods and embrace innovation,” he said.
The Vice President explained that SAPZ will foster partnerships between farmers, private investors, and entrepreneurs, creating sustainable agribusiness linkages that will improve productivity, add value to raw materials, and strengthen private sector involvement in agriculture.
He noted that Kaduna’s abundant fertile land and rich natural resources place it in a strong position to lead Nigeria’s agricultural revolution.
Despite this potential, Shettima acknowledged long-standing issues that have slowed progress—such as poor infrastructure, limited access to finance and markets, and inadequate agro-processing facilities. These challenges, he said, have discouraged farmers and hindered rural development. He expressed optimism that SAPZ would reverse this trend and unlock new opportunities.
Shettima also recognized the critical support of international development institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in making the SAPZ a reality.
In his own remarks, Governor Uba Sani said the SAPZ would shift agriculture in the state from basic production to value-added processing and full-scale industrialisation.
He described the SAPZ as a game-changing initiative that consolidates agricultural production, processing, and marketing in specific zones to maximize efficiency.
The Governor highlighted two key facilities under the project: the Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC) in Dutsen-Wai, Kubau LGA, which will serve as a hub for collecting, storing, and processing key crops like maize, tomatoes, and ginger; and the Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) in Daki-Takwas, Chikun LGA, located strategically on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. The AIH will anchor agro-processing companies, logistics services, and export-driven agribusinesses.
By clustering these operations, he said, Kaduna will reduce post-harvest losses, increase productivity, create thousands of jobs, and stimulate growth across multiple sectors.
Governor Sani further emphasized that SAPZ will position Kaduna as a competitive player in regional and international markets, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With the right infrastructure in place, Kaduna’s agricultural output can reach global markets, improve Nigeria’s trade balance, and generate much-needed foreign exchange.
He also announced the upcoming establishment of the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), supported by Afrexim Bank. The center—first of its kind in Northern Nigeria—will ensure that agricultural products meet both local and international standards through advanced testing, certification, and quality control. “This will allow our farmers not just to produce more, but to produce better—meeting the highest requirements of export and premium markets,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, commended Governor Uba Sani for his exceptional leadership, vision, and determination in bringing the SAPZ project to life in Kaduna. “You’ve been an outstanding leader for the state. Your passion for agriculture is evident. I understand that since taking office, you’ve raised the agricultural budget share to 10%, now totaling about ₦74 billion,” he said.
Dr. Adesina stated that with the SAPZ, agriculture will flourish across every part of Kaduna, attracting food and agro-processing companies and driving a wave of economic activity in rural communities. “Kaduna is set to become a model for agro-industrialisation in Nigeria,” he added.
He also thanked President Tinubu for his collaboration with the AfDB, revealing that the bank has committed over $934 million toward SAPZ development and mobilized an additional $938 million from co-financiers such as the Islamic Development Bank and IFAD.
Dr. Adesina said the SAPZ initiative is currently being implemented in 27 locations across 11 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Togo, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Mozambique, and Mali.
In Nigeria, the first phase of SAPZ covers eight states—Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Cross River, and Imo—as well as the Federal Capital Territory. The total financing for this initial phase is $510 million, with $200 million coming from the AfDB, including $50 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund. Other contributions include $100 million from IFAD, $150 million from the Islamic Development Bank, and $60 million from the Green Climate Fund.
