The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) has officially partnered with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to launch the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program, a transformative investment initiative poised to reshape Nigeria’s agricultural future. With a total program value of USD 975 million, including USD 600 million in financing from the AfDB,SAPZ Phase II is designed to scale up climate-resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive agro-industrial growth, and unlock significant private sector investment across the nation’s agricultural value chains.
As part of this second phase, GCA will play a leading role in integrating climate adaptation strategies into the heart of the program. Its contribution is focused on advancing climate-smart agriculture systems, specifically under Component 2 of the SAPZ project. In collaboration with selected Nigerian state governments, GCA will implement digital soil health and fertility mapping in Oyo, Niger, and Anambra states, leveraging remote sensing and GIS technologies to improve land productivity and resource planning. In parallel, GCA will collaborate with seed companies and farming communities to develop a digital platform that guarantees the quality, traceability, and climate resilience of distributed seeds. To support adoption, GCA will provide tailored training programs for agricultural extension workers, stakeholders, and farmers, emphasizing the cultivation and usage of drought- and flood-resistant seed varieties.
These activities are part of a broader strategy to modernize and climate-proof Nigeria’s agricultural sector. SAPZ Phase II will be implemented in three tranches, starting with a rollout in eight states: Niger, Anambra, Delta, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Gombe, Enugu, and Ekiti. Eventually, the program will span 27 states, with the potential to generate 1.35 million new jobs 60 percent for youth and at least 50 percent for women,while also attracting an estimated USD 2 billion in private investments toward agro-processing and value addition infrastructure.
“This is adaptation in action,” stated Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation. “Through the SAPZ program, Nigeria is not only investing in agriculture and infrastructure, it is creating climate resilience at the grassroots level. We are proud to contribute our expertise to ensure these investments are sustainable and impactful across generations.”
The SAPZ initiative is fully aligned with Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021–2025), the Nigeria Agenda 2050, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. It also directly contributes to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on poverty reduction, food security, job creation, and resilient infrastructure development. By embedding climate-smart solutions into one of Africa’s most ambitious agricultural programs, GCA is helping to ensure that national development is not only transformative, but also environmentally and socially sustainable.
GCA’s role in SAPZ Phase II is part of its broader mission under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) a joint initiative with AfDB aimed at scaling up adaptation solutions continent-wide. Through this partnership, GCA continues to serve as a bridge between international climate finance and local implementation, turning global resources into real-world solutions for communities most vulnerable to climate risks.
