As part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s food systems and strengthen agricultural productivity, the Federal Government, through Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Monday announced a commitment of $538.05m towards the establishment of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across the country.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who made this disclosure on Monday in Abuja at the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, explained that the investment forms part of a wider strategy to make Nigeria’s food systems more productive, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
According to Kyari, the Federal Government, leveraging private sector participation, had launched SAPZ projects in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with more to follow.
The initiative, according to him, is expected to attract an additional $1 billion in investments by 2027.
“Alongside other interventions, the Federal Government has provided 2,000 tractors and related implements to boost agricultural production. We have also launched the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with others coming on board. Under this project, the country has committed substantial investments of $538.05 million, leveraging the private sector in the establishment of industrial hubs and agricultural transformation centres.
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The zones are projected to stimulate a total of $1 billion in investments by 2027,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the creation of an Agricultural Sector Working Group comprising research institutions, development partners, the private sector, and civil society stakeholders to monitor progress, identify gaps, and promote accountability in agricultural development. He further revealed that Nigeria’s progress in agriculture has been recognised by the African Union.
Kyari also added that the country has made significant strides over the past decade in the biennial review of agricultural development.
Speaking on the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme, which was recently presented at the African Food Systems Summit in Dakar,Senegal, the minister said the initiative aims to reduce annual post-harvest losses estimated at ₦3.5 trillion, improve value chains, and ensure national food sovereignty.
“At the recently concluded African Food Systems Summit in Dakar, I hosted a deal room with investors and other critical stakeholders on the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), which aims to reduce massive annual post-harvest inefficiencies valued at ₦3.5 trillion and strengthen value chains for national food security and sovereignty,” Kyari said.
He explained that the outcome of these investments will create a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable food system, contributing to improved farmers’ incomes, better livelihoods, waste reduction, enhanced value chains, economic growth, and food security.
The minister added that the SAPZs are designed to promote value addition, create jobs, strengthen value chains, and enhance food security, in line with Nigeria’s commitment to CAADP and the Malabo Declaration.
Kyari, who advocated for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments, stressing that synergy and shared responsibility are essential for achieving sustainable food security and resilient livelihoods, said“ The Federal Government stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to drive the reforms needed to build robust, equitable, and sustainable food systems across all regions. ”
The Head of Development Cooperation, German Development Cooperation, Dr Karin Jansen, in her address at the event, stated that the global project Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies commissioned by the German Development Cooperation supports reforms in nine partner countries across Africa and Asia, as well as at regional and global levels.
According to Jansen, the project aims to strengthen sustainable agricultural transformation by linking food security, climate action, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring that food systems operate within planetary boundaries.
“It promotes the scaling up of local innovations, embedding successful practices into national and regional policies to bridge local priorities with global agendas and reinforce reform processes.
“In promoting inclusive transformation, AgSys engages civil society, women, and youth, while aligning financial contributions to create sustainable funding landscapes that support long-term agricultural resilience.
“At the continental level, the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme was updated in 2025 through the Kampala Declaration, which serves as a renewed commitment to driving productivity, food security, and sustainable food systems. The Kampala Agenda builds upon National Agriculture Investment Plans and the Biennial Review process, with 2025 serving as a transition year for AU institutions and member states to prepare for its rollout,” she said.
Jansen added that Germany, through the BMZ, has reaffirmed its cooperation with the African Union on CAADP and the Kampala Agenda as key frameworks for food systems transformation.
According to her, the support includes additional funding for the GIZ AgSys project, the deployment of experts through the Global Programme PeoPLE, and coordination with other development partners, including the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s Agricultural Policy Dialogue.
