The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Enugu State Government in bolstering investment opportunities and infrastructural growth within the state.
This pledge was articulated during a pivotal meeting held at the Government House between AfDB’s Nigeria Country Department Director-General, Lamin Barrow, and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah.
Barrow underscored Nigeria’s strategic significance to AfDB’s programs, highlighting the approval of the initial phase, valued at approximately $18 million, focusing on the development of a Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ).
The bank is poised to embark on the second phase, tailoring initiatives to align with Enugu’s developmental agenda.
The SAPZ initiative aims to fortify value chains for key crops such as cassava and maize, thereby mitigating post-harvest losses and fostering robust collaborations with local farmers.
Barrow emphasized the pivotal role of anchor private-sector investors in driving sustainable growth within the agro-allied industry.
In parallel, Skipper Group President, Jitender Sachdeva, shared insights into the group’s partnership with Enugu State to establish a green special agro-allied industry zone, a project that dovetails with AfDB’s overarching objectives.
Governor Mbah expressed profound appreciation for AfDB’s decision to earmark Enugu for the SAPZ’s second phase, underscoring the state’s readiness to capitalize on the opportunities presented.
Mbah assured AfDB of the state’s unwavering commitment, citing meticulous groundwork and preparatory measures undertaken to facilitate seamless project implementation.
The envisioned partnership signifies a significant stride towards fostering sustainable development, poised to revolutionize Enugu’s economic landscape and reinforce its position as a burgeoning hub for investment and infrastructural excellence.