The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) is targeting sugar self-sufficiency in Nigeria through a proposed $1 billion investment partnership and a 10 billion naira Sugar Project Acceleration Fund.
The NSDC Executive Secretary, Kamar Bakrin, said Nigeria currently consumes about 1.8 million tonnes of sugar annually, with roughly $1 billion spent on imports. He said the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan 2.0 aims to increase local production to about two million tonnes.
Bakrin said the Council had strengthened its Backward Integration Programme to ensure companies benefiting from import quotas demonstrate genuine production commitments. Satellite imagery and field inspections will also be used to independently verify sugar production activities.
He said the 10 billion naira fund, established with the Bank of Industry, would support feasibility studies and project preparation, creating bankable projects capable of accessing a $1 billion Engineering, Procurement and Construction-plus-finance agreement with China’s Sinomach.
The NSDC boss said the Council would also work with Afreximbank and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to accelerate sugar estate development, while its Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme would support farmers and host communities. He urged the Chartered Institute of Directors to promote stronger corporate governance across the industry.
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