Nigeria’s sugar sector is on the brink of a significant transformation, driven by ambitious greenfield projects.
According to Mr. Kamar Bakrin, Executive Secretary and CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), these projects are not just about planting cane—they are about building a fully integrated industry that combines cultivation, processing, and community development.
With recent Memoranda of Understanding signed with four major promoters, Nigeria is poised to add roughly 400,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually.
Beyond numbers, these initiatives aim to create jobs, expand infrastructure, and establish a nationwide network that supports long-term self-sufficiency.
Why Taraba Was Chosen for GNAL Sugar
One of the standout projects, GNAL Sugar promoted by the Lee Group, has found its home in Taraba State.
According to Mr. Bakrin, Taraba’s combination of abundant land, reliable water resources, and favorable climate made it an obvious choice.
The state’s government has also shown strong political will, which is crucial for projects of this scale.
Local collaboration, community buy-in, and clear regulatory support all play a role in ensuring that large sugar initiatives don’t just start—they thrive.
Tackling Input Challenges Head-On
A major obstacle in the past has been access to quality planting materials.
NSDC is addressing this through dedicated seedcane farms and the Nigeria Sugar Institute’s (NSI) innovative bud chip technology.
This approach accelerates growth, reduces costs, and improves consistency across fields, helping greenfield projects get off the ground faster and more reliably.
The Nigeria Sugar Institute’s Role
The NSI, headquartered in Ilorin, serves as the technical backbone of the country’s sugar industry.
Since its commissioning in 2021, the institute has been modernized with upgraded lab protocols, new training programs, and extensive staff capacity building.
More than 60 personnel have undergone technical and managerial training to ensure the institute delivers practical, industry-focused solutions for producers across Nigeria.
Empowering Farmers with the Outgrower Programme
The Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP) is a game-changer for farmers.
It links them directly to licensed sugar processors with guaranteed offtake agreements, provides quality inputs, and delivers hands-on technical support.
Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from communities near existing estates.
Farmers appreciate having market certainty and structured support—making participation not only feasible but attractive.
This coordinated approach is designed to boost productivity and create sustainable growth across the sector.
The $1 Billion SINOMACH Investment
Perhaps the most transformative initiative is the $1 billion partnership with SINOMACH.
This deal combines engineering, financing, and project development in one coordinated framework, enabling large-scale projects to move from planning to execution faster and with reduced risk.
The investment will support up to 500,000 metric tonnes of sugar production, cultivate 75,000 hectares of cane, and expand factory capacity by 50,000 tonnes per day.
Beyond production, the partnership promises significant job creation, foreign exchange savings, and stronger domestic supply chains—bringing Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency.
Staying on Track for Delivery
Ambitious projects like these require careful planning and disciplined execution.
NSDC has focused on early resolution of common bottlenecks—land access, regulatory approvals, and community engagement.
With these fundamentals in place, technical studies complete, and stakeholders aligned, the council is confident the projects will meet their timelines and deliver measurable benefits to Nigeria’s sugar industry.
A Vision for Sustainable Growth
The greenfield projects, the SODP, and strategic partnerships like SINOMACH all point toward one clear goal: a thriving, self-reliant sugar sector.
For Nigeria, the future is no longer just about importing sugar—it’s about producing it locally, building capacity, and creating value for communities across the country.
As Mr. Bakrin puts it, the initiatives are “community-anchored, sustainable, and structured to deliver long-term value.”
If current momentum holds, Nigeria could soon witness a sugar renaissance, with ripple effects felt across agriculture, industry, and local economies.
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