The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has signed a landmark deal with four companies to build new sugar estates. This initiative is a major step toward reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported sugar.
The goal is to increase Nigeria’s annual sugar production by 400,000 metric tonnes. Each of the four operators will develop a facility with a 100,000-tonne capacity.
Key Details of the Agreement
- Participating Companies: The four operators are Brent Sugar (Oyo State), Niger Foods (Niger State), Legacy Sugar (Adamawa State), and UMZA (Bauchi State).
- Government Support: The NSDC will provide these companies with project development support and cover key service costs to ensure the ventures are successful.
- Economic Impact: Kamar Bakrin, Executive Secretary, NSDC, stated that these projects will create jobs, improve rural infrastructure, and boost local economies in the four host states.
A Broader Strategy for Growth
This expansion is part of a larger, more aggressive plan to develop Nigeria’s sugar sector. Bakrin called 2025 a year of “accelerated development,” citing favorable global market trends and strong government support.
This new agreement builds on a previous partnership with Chinese company SINOMACH, which was signed in April. The collaboration, worth $1 billion, is focused on developing a large-scale sugarcane plantation and processing plant with an initial capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes, with a long-term goal of reaching one million metric tonnes.
By boosting domestic production, Nigeria hopes to save foreign exchange and establish itself as a major sugar producer in Africa.
