President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has commended the Kaduna State government for promoting agriculture, saying the state is leading the way as the first to launch the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Nigeria.
During a courtesy call on Sir Kashim Ibrahim House yesterday, Adesina lauded Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to agricultural transformation.
The AfDB boss cited Kaduna’s remarkable budgetary increase for agriculture, from N1.4 billion to N74 billion, adding that the increase “is an example of political will, backed by substantial investment.”
He went on: “You didn’t just put your money where your mouth is – you put your money where your mind and your body are.”
“Kaduna’s leadership on this project reflects not just a vision for food security, but a roadmap for economic prosperity and inclusive development.”
Adesina described the state as a trailblazer, noting, “You are the first state to launch the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Nigeria. This is a great day for us all.”
The AfDB president also commended the state’s hospitality, adding that “not only did we get hospitality here in Kaduna, I think we got maternity too – because your Deputy Governor is a medical doctor.”
He emphasised AfDB’s commitment to supporting Kaduna in expanding school feeding programmes and integrating them with the new processing zones.
In his remarks, Governor Sani described Adesina as “a blessing to Nigeria, Africa, and humanity,” and he applauded the AfDB president’s transformative work in agriculture across the continent.
He described the launch of the Agro-Industrial Processing Zone as a very important project for the state while commending Adesina for his efforts in transforming agriculture in Nigeria and across Africa.
Meanwhile, the African Development Bank is mobilising $2.2 billion to develop agricultural processing zones in 28 states in Nigeria to boost food security and create jobs.
At the launch of the first phase of the initiative that is targeting five states it was made known that this phase is being bankrolled by more than $500 million that was first announced in 2022.
The AfDB head said the funding needs for the second phase would be presented to the AfDB board shortly for approval.
