General
AfDB Raises Concerns Over First Phase of Nigeria’s SAPZ Programme
By Adedapo Adesanya
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has lamented the performance of the first phase of Nigeria’s $210 million special agro-industrial processing zone (SAPZ) programme.
According to the multilateral lender in its Nigeria – Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZS-I) – IPR December 2024 report, the project, coded P-NG-AAA-002, has an unsatisfactory rating due to issues, including delay and weak capacity.
The programme’s first phase debuted in seven states — Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, and Kwara, along with the federal capital territory (FCT).
According to the bank’s latest report, the overall performance of SAPZS-I has been relatively slow since project approval, particularly regarding project disbursement.
“The procurement of supervision consultants for the Design, Build, and Operate (DBO) contractors is currently at the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage for Kaduna State and at the Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) stage for Oyo, Imo, and Cross River States,” the report noted.
“DBO bidding documents have been cleared for four states: Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo, and Ogun. Kaduna has already advertised its DBO.
“All these will result in improved implementation, disbursement, and ratings in 2025.
“However, the overall performance status from the time of project approval to date remains relatively slow, especially with regard to disbursement.”
The lender noted that weak capacity at the state project implementation units (PSIUs) and the national project coordination unit (NPCU) were core issues affecting project implementation.
It, however, identified what the Nigerian government could do better.
“Handholding support to both national coordinating office at the federal level and PSIUs in terms of financial management, procurement processes, environmental and social safeguards, etc., reinforced by regular technical workshops on Bank fiduciary requirements,” the report said.
“The bank has also provided an additional two experienced consultants to backstop and handhold the project staff on the implementation of project activities.”
It lamented that Imo State is yet to commence any activity, warning that it could cancel the loans, adding that Ogun must provide an acceptable service legal agreement (SLA), with both states required to meet a deadline of March 31.
For the project output ratings, the AfDB stated that key findings indicate that the project has suffered from effectiveness delays.
“Although approved on 13 – December – 21, project became effective on 17 – October – 23,” the report noted.
“First disbursements to states could only take place as they fulfill other requirements.
“Four States received their first disbursements by June 2024 (8 – 14 months after project effectiveness).
“The fifth State (Ogun) signed its SLA in October 2024.
“Procurement of major civil works (DBO contractors and supervision consultants) has commenced.
“Therefore, all activities that would contribute to achievement of outputs and outcomes are on track.”
The report added that project activities are progressing towards the commencement of major works execution, which will help the project achieve its intended development objectives.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Newryton International Industrial Development Company Limited, a leading Chinese investment and industrial development consortium, to advance discussions on deepening bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, and development financing between both countries.
The Newryton delegation, led by Mr David Chen, Assistant Secretary-General of the China Hainan Investment Council, had earlier engaged with the Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). They were accompanied to the NCSP by Mr Joe Onyuike, Vice-Chairman of NACCIMA’s Agriculture and Livestock Trade Group, who conveyed NACCIMA’s support for the delegation’s engagements.
Discussions centered on the establishment of a Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform, including a proposed Promotion Centre in China to support Nigerian products, investors, and state governments.
The consortium also presented opportunities within Hainan Province’s Free Trade Port (FTP), which offers preferential policies that Nigerian businesses can leverage to expand exports and attract new investments.
In his address on behalf of Newryton, Mr Pong outlined plans to collaborate with NCSP in accessing FOCAC-supported financing for strategic investments in agriculture, energy, mining, solid minerals processing, and related sectors. The delegation identified aquaculture as a key area of interest and referenced the forthcoming Global Aquaculture Conference in Hainan Province, encouraging Nigerian stakeholders to participate.
They also expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation in vocational training and employment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director-General, Martins Olajide, NCSP’s Head of Internal Operations, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
He highlighted NCSP’s strong interest in the proposed Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform and the development of the Nigerian Oil Palm Industrial Park as a flagship demonstration project.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Judy Melifonwu, NCSP’s Head of International Relations, underscored the opportunities presented by China’s zero-tariff policy and the forthcoming NAQS–GACC protocol on the export of Nigerian aquaculture products. She noted that these frameworks would significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging global markets.
Both parties expressed commitment to advancing discussions toward a structured cooperation framework covering all priority areas.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom–Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), established in 2019 as part of a 16-year legacy of UK-funded infrastructure support to Nigeria, convened over 100 senior stakeholders on Tuesday, December 2, to review its progress and formally close out its current phase of operations.
The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, development partners, development finance institutions, and the private sector to reflect on UKNIAF’s work across the power, infrastructure finance, and roads sectors. Discussions focused on institutional reforms, capacity development, and the sustainability of tools and processes introduced over the past six years.
Since inception, UKNIAF has delivered targeted technical assistance designed to embed evidence-based reforms, data-driven decision-making, and improved institutional performance. Its interventions have mobilised significant financing, strengthened regulatory and planning systems, and enhanced investor readiness across multiple infrastructure markets.
In the power sector, participants highlighted landmark achievements including the development of Nigeria’s first Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines a least-cost and low-carbon pathway for expanding electricity supply. UKNIAF also supported the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in building advanced real-time data capabilities for tariff monitoring, grid management, and outage tracking. The programme enabled pioneering states to establish their own electricity markets following constitutional reforms.
In infrastructure finance, UKNIAF was recognised for strengthening project preparation systems and enabling access to capital. Notable accomplishments include supporting the mobilisation of $75 million from the African Development Bank to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme in two states, and accelerating mini-grid and solar deployment through improved technical standards at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
UKNIAF also designed a national project preparation facility, for which N21 billion was allocated in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets to build a pipeline of bankable projects.
Speaking on this, Mr Frank Edozie, UKNIAF Team Lead, described the programme’s close-out as a “handover for sustained delivery,” emphasising that strengthened institutions now hold tools that make Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape more transparent, climate-smart, and investor-ready.
On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, commended the programme, noting that its technical assistance and advisory services had helped lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive electricity supply industry.
Mrs Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Corporation at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria, praised the partnership, highlighting achievements ranging from state-level electricity market reforms to unlocking major financing and designing Nigeria’s Climate Change Fund.
Enugu State Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the lasting influence of the programme, stating that UKNIAF’s impact continues through the expertise and leadership transferred to national and sub-national institutions.
The close-out event reaffirmed stakeholders’ commitment to sustaining tools, reforms, and knowledge products developed under UKNIAF, while strengthening collaboration among public, private, and development actors in the infrastructure ecosystem.
Participants included federal and state agencies such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Federal Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, NERC, REA, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, alongside development partners including the African Development Bank, World Bank, and IFC, as well as private sector and civil society stakeholders.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, has been slashed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The Lagos-based oil facility brought down the ex-depot price of the petroleum product by 15.58 per cent or N129 per litre to N828 per litre.
Though the company had yet to release an official statement on this development, real-time market data on Petroleumprice.ng on Friday showed the new price.
Punch reports that data from the platform also showed fresh reductions across several private depots following the refinery’s latest review.
Sigmund Depot cut its ex-depot price by N4 to N824 per litre, Bulk Strategic dropped its price by N3, and TechnoOil slashed its by N15.
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