In a historic move for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, Kaduna State has officially kicked off the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ)—the first of its kind in the country. The milestone was unveiled during a high-profile visit by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the state’s government headquarters.
The visit wasn’t just ceremonial. It marked the formal launch of phase one of AfDB’s $538 million SAPZ programme, aimed at revolutionizing agriculture across Nigeria—starting with Kaduna.
A Big Leap for Kaduna’s Agriculture Sector
Addressing dignitaries and stakeholders, Dr. Adesina praised Governor Uba Sani for his firm dedication to agricultural growth. He pointed to the massive leap in the state’s agriculture budget—from ₦1.4 billion to ₦74 billion—as proof of real, meaningful investment.
“You didn’t just talk the talk,” Adesina said. “You backed your words with action—and serious funding.” The room responded with enthusiastic applause.
According to Adesina, Kaduna isn’t just launching a project—it’s charting a bold new course for food security, economic growth, and inclusive development in Nigeria.
Why the SAPZ Launch Matters
A Model for Economic Progress
With this launch, Kaduna has taken a bold step towards transforming its agricultural potential into a thriving agribusiness economy. The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone is designed to:
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Attract private investment
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Create thousands of agro-processing jobs
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Modernize value chains in agriculture
Adesina described Kaduna as a trailblazer, noting, “This isn’t just about Kaduna—it’s a turning point for Nigeria.”
Hospitality Meets Vision
The AfDB President, while appreciating the warm welcome, added a lighthearted note: “We didn’t just get hospitality here—we got maternity, too. Your Deputy Governor is a doctor, after all.”
But his message was serious. He reaffirmed AfDB’s long-term commitment to Kaduna, promising support for expanding the school feeding programme, boosting primary healthcare, and improving infrastructure in sanitation, water access, and digital services.
In response, Governor Uba Sani praised Dr. Adesina as a visionary leader, not only for Nigeria but for Africa at large. Reflecting on Adesina’s tenure as Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, Sani highlighted the E-wallet initiative, which connected over 15 million smallholder farmers—mainly in Northern Nigeria—to essential farming inputs and credit access.
“This initiative didn’t just support farming,” Sani explained. “It fought financial exclusion and could’ve helped address the root causes of insecurity in our region.”
He emphasized the importance of agriculture in Kaduna’s economy:
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Agriculture contributes 42% of Kaduna’s GDP
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It provides employment for 60% of the state’s population
Governor Sani didn’t just talk about numbers—he made history with them. Kaduna’s jump from ₦1.4 billion to ₦74 billion in agricultural spending makes it the first state in Nigeria to meet the 10% budget target set by the Malabo Declaration of 2014.
“This isn't just a financial milestone—it’s a strategic move to unlock the potential of our land and our people,” Sani added.
He also reaffirmed that the SAPZ is a cornerstone project for Kaduna, one that will drive employment, boost export capacity, and support agro-based industries for years to come.
The governor didn’t shy away from tough realities either. “Insecurity has robbed us of so much potential,” he said. “But we believe agriculture—when developed at scale—can restore stability and hope across our communities.”
This belief is at the heart of Kaduna’s vision: turning its agricultural strength into a tool for both economic renewal and social peace.
With AfDB’s backing and strong political will on the ground, Kaduna is positioning itself as a national hub for modern agribusiness. From farmer empowerment to industrial growth, the SAPZ initiative promises to reshape not just the state's economy, but the way Nigeria thinks about agriculture.
As Dr. Adesina summed it up:
“We are proud to work with a government that listens, leads with heart, and delivers results. Governor Uba Sani is not just a talker—he’s a doer.”