GB Foods, Ignasi Ricou; Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell; Kebbi State
Governor, Nasir Idris; Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of
Information, Mohammed Idris; Emir of Yauri, Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi and
MD/CEO GB Foods Nigeria, Vincent Egbe, during the commissioning of the integrated tomato processing plant in Kebbi State…recently
In a bid to boost local production, ensure food security and turn Nigeria into a major food processing hub in Africa, GB Foods has announced a significant expansion of its investment in the country with an integrated tomato processing plant and expanded farm facilities in Gafara, Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi state.
The farm and factory, spanning 1500 hectares of land and boasting a 620 metric tonnes per day processing plant that is projected to generate 2000 jobs, will be doubled in the next expansion phase, the company revealed.
When completed, the company said, the farm and processing facility will be Africa’s biggest integrated tomato project.
Present at the unveiling were President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris and other government officials.
Tinubu lauded the investment, which he said affirmed the confidence of investors in Nigeria.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, commended the company for its boldness in tackling challenges head-on, noting that while the project began under the leadership of Bagudu, it has been completed during his tenure.
He expressed gratitude to the company for engaging 3,335 local out-growers for tomato production and pledged his support to ensure the plant operates at maximum capacity and also promised to provide the necessary assistance and protection for its success.
GB Foods Nigeria’s CEO, Vincent Egbe, expressed gratitude to the government, adding: “During the 2022-23 season, our farm and factory in Kebbi played a pivotal role in generating 75 per cent of the total tomato concentrate produced in Nigeria. Despite this significant contribution, demand still exceeds supply, highlighting the need for further expansion and advancement in the sector. In December 2023, we further solidified our position by expanding our Lagos tomato sachet factory to an unprecedented 100,000 metric tons, securing our position as the largest of its kind.”
