Shettima Visits Benin to Boost Nigeria's Textile Industry

On Thursday, Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja for a high-level working visit to the Republic of Benin, accompanied by state governors and senior officials from the Federal Government. The visit aims to strengthen Nigeria's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme and learn from Benin's approach to agricultural value addition and industrial infrastructure.

The delegation will visit the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) near Cotonou, focusing on the GDIZ textile park, which integrates cotton spinning, weaving, fabric processing, and garment manufacturing. The industrial zone spans approximately 1,640 hectares and is designed to enhance the processing and export of agricultural commodities.

This visit is critical for Nigeria, which is working to revitalize its textile industry, valued at around ₦8.15 trillion in 2024. The delegation will explore technology, industrial training, and public-private partnerships to improve the competitiveness of Nigerian textiles and garments.