Preparations are underway for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Phase 1 Implementation in Cross River State, scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, GRASSROOT REPORTERS reports.
This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to revolutionise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and drive economic growth.
The flag-off event will be led by Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
The SAPZ program is supported by partners including the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and private-sector leader ARISE Integrated Industrial Zones (ARISE IIZ).
With a total investment of $538 million across eight states—including Cross River—the initiative is AfDB's largest program in Africa.
The SAPZ projects in Cross River will be located at two sites: the Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) on Tinapa Road, Adiabo, and the Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC) in Okuku-Yala.
These facilities aim to enhance agricultural productivity, create jobs, and foster sustainable value chains in the region. The construction will follow a Design, Build, and Operate (DBO) model on a combined 161 hectares of land—131 hectares for the AIH and 30 hectares for the ATC. The infrastructure will include administrative blocks, quality control facilities, roads, drainage systems, power supply, and waste management solutions.
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