The African Development Bank (AfDB), has budgeted US $110 million to fund projects under the Special Agricultural Processing Zone in Kano State, Nigeria.
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, confirmed the statement and said that the AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina will release the funds for agriculture projects in the country.
According to a press release read by Mr Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Adesina said, “In all, we are having about $563 million dedicated for our projects in various states in Nigeria.”
Agro-processing activities
“We are using $110 million for our programme on Special Agricultural Industrial Processing Zone in Kano. The funds will be invested on rural roads, transport infrastructure, water and sanitation, and in agriculture to increase productivity.”
Partnering with the AfDB and other stakeholders, the programme will concentrate on agro-processing activities in demarcated areas to boost productivity and integrate production, processing and marketing of selected commodities.
The first phase will involve 7 states: Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, and the FCT. However, down the line, 140 such centres will be created across the country. He added that the fund would enable the creation of job opportunities and boost rural infrastructure development.
Governor Ganduje commended the AfDB’s decision, stating, “When institutions are strengthened and individuals or groups of individuals are directly impacted, this is what we mean by genuine development.
“My dream is to promote Kano into a Mega City, which is not only a collection of population but also, a collection of an environment where things are working, where traffic flows, where health services are excellent. This is aimed at reducing medical tourism abroad and where you can have security using technology.”
