• Shettima meets St. Kitts Prime Minister, pushes stronger Africa-Caribbean ties

The Federal Government has secured a renewed funding commitment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to drive the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).

Phase 2 of the programme will extend climate-resilient infrastructure and inclusive agro-industrial growth to 24 additional states, up from the initial eight states and the FCT.

The initiative is designed to diversify Nigeria’s mono-product economy by boosting value-added agricultural exports.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made the appeal on Friday in New York during a bilateral meeting with AfDB President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Underscoring Nigeria’s position as AfDB’s largest shareholder, with a portfolio of over $10 billion, Shettima urged the bank to scale up its support.

“You assisted us with $300 million when you were in Liberia. We are grateful, but like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more. Nigeria is determined to diversify its economy into agriculture, particularly value-added exports. From the mangrove swamps of the south to the Sahelian north, our agro-ecological zones have the potential to grow virtually anything,” he said.

The Vice President also highlighted Nigeria’s youthful, development-oriented population and called for AfDB’s greater involvement in supporting innovation-driven enterprises beyond traditional MSMEs.

“We can accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. Already, out of Africa’s eight unicorns, five are from Nigeria. We want to reiterate that we are with you, we are for you, and we will stand by you,” Shettima affirmed.

Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, appealed for AfDB’s support for Nigeria’s Great Green Wall Project, noting its role in tackling desertification, afforestation, and health challenges linked to deforestation.

Similarly, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, urged the bank to channel resources toward addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, stressing the sector’s urgent funding needs.

In response, AfDB President Dr. Tah pledged to position the bank not merely as a lender but as a catalyst for mobilising global capital to Africa.

“My vision is to mobilise resources, reform Africa’s financial architecture, turn our demographic dividend into economic strength, and industrialise the continent by adding value to its natural resources. These are the four pillars guiding the bank’s strategy for Africa’s transformation,” he said.

Earlier, Vice President Shettima met with the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen economic and cultural ties.

Shettima assured Drew of President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to strengthen Africa-Caribbean bonds.

“For St. Kitts and Nevis and Nigeria, what unites us far outweighs what divides us. The majority of the Caribbean is of African descent, many are English-speaking, and members of the Commonwealth. The commonalities are clear, but contact has been far below what it should be,” he said.

He recalled President Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia earlier in the year as part of efforts to reconnect with the African diaspora in the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Drew, for his part, lamented the low levels of trade and engagement between Africa and the Caribbean but pledged his country’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria to boost ties.