Kwara Gov, VP Tour Benin Agro-Industrial Zone

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has joined Vice President Kashim Shettima on an official tour of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agro-industrial development strategy.

Speaking after the visit, AbdulRazaq said the delegation inspected the zone’s extensive agro-processing systems, covering key value chains such as cotton, cashew, and soybean.

He described the GDIZ as a practical example of how well-structured government policies can enhance agricultural productivity, reduce the export of raw commodities, and generate employment across agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

The governor explained that the visit forms part of an ongoing African peer-learning initiative aimed at studying successful industrialisation models across the continent. He noted that a similar study tour had earlier been conducted in Ethiopia.

According to him, insights from these engagements would support the effective implementation of industrial zones currently being developed across various Nigerian states.

AbdulRazaq added that Kwara is among the pilot states for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Project in Nigeria, a programme being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners, including the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

He said the initiative is designed to provide critical infrastructure that will boost local production, strengthen the economy, and create large-scale employment opportunities for citizens.