In a major step toward inclusive rural transformation, Nigeria has officially launched the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), a flagship project aimed at unlocking social and economic opportunities for thousands of farming communities.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held at Atan in Ijaiye (Akinyele Local Government Area), brought together top Nigerian government officials, development finance institutions, and global partners. Leading the event was Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), alongside key co-financing partners: the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Africa Growing Together Fund.
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With a $538 million investment, the Oyo SAPZ marks the third site under Nigeria’s SAPZ Phase I rollout—following Kaduna and Cross River—and the first in the country’s southwest. Strategically located on a 300-hectare site near the Lagos-Ibadan railway, the zone will ensure efficient logistics and market access for farmers and agro-entrepreneurs. More than a commercial infrastructure, this SAPZ is a social innovation model. By focusing on priority value chains—cassava, maize, poultry, and horticulture—it aims to uplift rural populations through job creation, income generation, and economic diversification. Women and youth, often marginalized in agricultural value chains, are at the heart of its inclusive agenda.
“This zone is not just about food processing. It’s about processing hope, dignity, and opportunity for rural families,” said Dr. Adesina during the ceremony. The Oyo SAPZ also targets improvements in rural living conditions by introducing essential infrastructure—such as access roads, water supply, and storage facilities—as well as training programs to equip local farmers and workers with modern agribusiness skills.
The initiative is part of AfDB’s flagship “Feed Africa” High 5 Strategy, which seeks to transform Africa’s agricultural sector into a driver of sustainable growth and food security. Since 1971, AfDB has committed nearly $11 billion in development support to Nigeria, solidifying its role as a long-standing partner in the country’s economic evolution.
By launching this SAPZ in Oyo, Nigeria positions itself as a leader in sustainable agribusiness and inclusive rural industrialization in Africa. The project serves as a scalable model for other African nations seeking to combat rural poverty, reduce migration to urban centers, and build resilient local economies. As Africa’s most populous nation moves forward with its agro-industrial agenda, the Oyo SAPZ stands as a compelling example of how strategic investments in agriculture can generate deep and lasting social impact.
