NSDC Seals Deal with Operators, to Produce 400,000MT Sugar Annually

The Nigeria National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has reached an agreement with four operators to develop greenfield sugar projects that will collectively produce 400,000 metric tons annually. The operators, Brent Sugar, Niger Foods, Legacy Sugar, and UMZA, will establish facilities in Oyo, Niger, Adamawa, and Bauchi states, respectively, to leverage the country's diverse agricultural conditions and distribute economic benefits across regions.

The agreement, signed at NSDC's Abuja headquarters, signifies a significant scaling of Nigeria's sugar development ambitions. With a focus on reducing the country's hefty sugar import bill, which remains high despite previous policy interventions, the government is eager to boost domestic production.

The NSDC's Executive Secretary, Kamar Bakrin, has designated 2025 as the year for accelerated development of sugar projects, emphasizing the urgency in addressing food security concerns and reducing import dependence. The partnership with Chinese firms for financing and construction of five sugar estates represents a strategic move to leverage foreign expertise and.