The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to invest $2.2 billion towards the development of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in 28 states across Nigeria. He made this announcement during the groundbreaking ceremony for the SAPZ project in Calabar, Cross River State, on Thursday.

Adesina, who previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, described Cross River State as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural resurgence. He noted the state’s robust output of cocoa, cassava, rice, and bananas, adding that Obudu Cattle Ranch alone holds the potential to transform the region into a major hub for livestock production.

Calabar Positioned as a Strategic Agro-Industrial Hub

Speaking at the event, Adesina emphasized that Cross River’s location and infrastructure make it a natural fit for the SAPZ initiative. He highlighted the state’s existing export processing zone, seaport access, and logistics capacity, which he said can effectively support the processing and export of agricultural goods to neighboring countries such as Cameroon.

According to a statement from Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Adesina confirmed that the AfDB had already secured substantial financing for the first phase of the SAPZ project.

“We’ve pulled together $934 million from the African Development Bank, with an additional $938 million from key partners including the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development,” Adesina said. “This brings the total for the first phase to over $1.8 billion, with eight states—Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, and Imo—and the Federal Capital Territory included.”

He added that the bank aims to raise another $2.2 billion for the next phase, which will extend the project to 28 states through collaboration with various partners.

Vice President Shettima Flags Off Calabar SAPZ Construction

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who presided over the Calabar groundbreaking, explained that the SAPZ project represents a pivotal effort to revamp Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. This launch marks the second site for the initiative, following the inaugural one in Kaduna State.

“This is more than a project—it is a strategic mission to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural value chain,” Shettima said. “What we’re starting today is designed to turn agriculture from subsistence to industry and from survival to sustainability.”

He pointed out that the SAPZ initiative combines resources from development partners, the federal government, and private investors. Its objective is to confront persistent obstacles that have historically limited the sector’s potential, such as weak infrastructure, lack of access to financing, poor processing capabilities, and widespread rural unemployment.

Infrastructure, Innovation, and Inclusion at the Core

Shettima underscored that the Calabar SAPZ would become a central hub for food processing and storage, giving farmers and agribusinesses the tools they need to expand and integrate into both local and global markets.

“This will be the meeting point between farmers and investors, the space where innovations become businesses, and where our youth will discover productive paths to employment and entrepreneurship,” he said.

He further revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has placed the SAPZ initiative at the heart of Nigeria’s food security agenda. Plans are underway to institutionalize it as a federal agency responsible for driving agricultural industrialization in all 36 states.

“These zones are expected to create thousands of jobs, unlock youth potential, and promote inclusive economic growth,” Shettima declared. “For the people of Cross River and beyond, SAPZ is not just a development project—it’s a transformative force that will diversify Nigeria’s economy and pave the way for sustainable growth.”

A Bold Path to National Agricultural Revival

With Cross River now formally joining the SAPZ network, the AfDB-led project is gaining momentum as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification plan. By addressing long-standing challenges in agricultural value chains, the SAPZ program aims to turn Nigeria’s rural regions into industrial powerhouses.

Analysts view the SAPZ strategy as a game-changing model, one that harnesses international financing, modern infrastructure, and public-private collaboration to drive food production, boost exports, and improve livelihoods across the country.

As implementation continues in Kaduna and now Calabar, the eyes of the nation—and its development partners—remain fixed on how the SAPZ blueprint will reshape Nigeria’s agricultural future.