21 African States Join AfDBs $850m Agricultural Development Scheme

Twenty-one states in Nigeria have enrolled for the African Development Bank's N850 billion Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme, a scheme aimed at boosting agriculture and processing industries.

In a significant development for agriculture in Africa, the African Development Bank has successfully enrolled 21 states into its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme, with a total allocation of $850 million (approximately N850 billion) earmarked for the initiative. This second phase of the programme aims to support the growth and development of agro-industrial processing zones across participating states, providing a boost to local economies and agricultural production. The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has confirmed that his state is among those enrolled in the scheme, highlighting the potential benefits for farmers and the broader agricultural sector. With this expansion, the programme seeks to further accelerate Africa's transformation into an industrialized and diversified continent.