Nigeria has launched a new Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Oyo State, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to boost agricultural transformation, job creation and rural industrialization.
The Oyo site is the third to be developed under the national Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) program, and the first in southwest Nigeria. It follows earlier launches in Kaduna and Cross River States in April 2025.
The ground-breaking ceremony, held in the Ijaiye community near Ibadan was attended by national and international dignitaries, including the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who was making his final official visit to Nigeria in that role.
Also in attendance were the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
“I believe that Nigeria can and must be a global powerhouse in agriculture. But you need investments to be able to do that,” said Dr Adesina.
Industrial platforms that connect primary agricultural production all the way to how products are stored and processed to add value, and how they get shipped to markets abroad is what most African states need, according to Adesina.
The SAPZ initiative is a flagship of the Bank’s ‘Feed Africa’ strategy, launched by Adesina in 2015. The zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigerian program being the largest.
Reflecting on his 10-year tenure as President of the African Development Bank, Adesina highlighted milestones achieved under his leadership, including the Bank’s capital increase from USD 93 billion in 2015 to USD 318 billion in 2024, and the two-time ranking of its sovereign portfolio as the most transparent among multilateral development banks globally
The program is financed by the African Development Bank, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Nigeria’s federal and state governments.
Together, they have committed USD 538 million to the first phase of the program, covering seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Covering 3,000 hectares, with 300 hectares designated for immediate development, the Oyo SAPZ is expected to host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers.
Oyo State Governor Makinde hailed the launch as a fulfilment of promises made and a strategic step on the journey of sustainable development.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari highlighted the SAPZ initiative’s alignment with national priorities saying it exemplifies the spirit of partnership and shared vision that is vital to the nation’s progress.
The SAPZ Programme is working to transform Nigeria’s rural economy into zones of prosperity, by facilitating industrial processing, expanding market access, and attracting private sector investment. The Zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigeria program being the largest.
Dr. Kabir Yusuf, National Coordinator of SAPZ Nigeria, announced plans to expand the program to an additional 10 states from September 2025, marking the beginning of the second phase that will cover the remaining States in the country.