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Nigeria is looking to strengthen its sugar industry through a proposed $7.1 billion investment programme that will expand cultivation, establish new processing facilities and encourage greater participation by private investors.
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) said the 10-year initiative would support the development of 13 projects, including 10 proposed sugar estates. Together, the new estates are expected to deliver 835,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually once they reach full operational capacity.
The programme is also expected to create about 110,000 jobs and generate annual foreign exchange savings estimated at $2.1 billion. These projections form part of the government’s broader effort to build domestic production capacity and reduce the country’s exposure to imported sugar.
NSDC Executive Secretary, Kamar Bakrin, disclosed that the funding plan would combine $5 billion in debt financing with $2.1 billion in equity contributions from private investors and project promoters. He also announced a $1 billion agreement with Chinese firm Sinomach for financing, engineering and construction support. Separately, the council is working with the Bank of Industry on a ₦10 billion facility for feasibility assessments and early-stage project development.
The proposed reforms extend beyond the production of sugar for domestic consumption. Plans include supporting farmers with improved sugarcane planting materials, providing technical training and developing opportunities to produce ethanol and generate electricity from sugarcane. If successfully implemented, the scheme could create additional economic opportunities while strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
