By Faridat Salifu
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged over $3 billion to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in more than 11 African countries, aimed at revitalizing the continent’s agricultural sector.
AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina announced this commitment during a recent interview with Arise Television.
This investment aligns with the bank’s larger goal of promoting agricultural industrialization and improving food security across Africa.
Adesina underscored Africa’s vital position in global food production, noting that the continent holds 65 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, essential for feeding an expected 9.5 billion people by 2050.
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He said the bank has introduced strategic agricultural initiatives, including the High 5s program, which emphasizes energy access, food security, industrial growth, regional integration, and improved living standards.
To support these initiatives, the AfDB has launched a $25 billion program aimed at transforming agriculture throughout the continent. Adesina pointed to Ethiopia’s success, where the introduction of drought-resistant wheat varieties led to the country becoming self-sufficient and eventually a net exporter of wheat.
The SAPZ initiative will create economic hubs near farming communities, equipped with necessary infrastructure such as power, water, roads, and irrigation systems. “We are investing over $3 billion in these zones across more than 11 countries,” Adesina stated.
Nigeria, he said, is set to be a major recipient of this investment.
Initially targeting $750 million, collaborative efforts with the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) resulted in securing a total of $2.2 billion for agricultural development in Nigeria.
Adesina noted the successful mobilization of funds, emphasizing the potential for substantial growth in the agricultural sector.
