The African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to start releasing a $2.2bn fund for the development of Special Agro-Industrial Process Zones in Nigeria (SAPZ).

Director General of AfDB Nigeria Office, Abdul Kamara, made this known during a monitored broadcast interview.

He said Specifically from next year (2025), some  contracts will be signed and mobilization and construction on site will start in some states.

He said the money would be used for the development of agro-industrial hubs where processing will happen, aggregation centres and agricultural transformation programmes.

The developmental economist said though the Special Agro-Industrial Process Zones was approved by the AfDB Board in 2021, the project is picking up after startup delays attributed to several factors.