Nigeria’s National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has intensified efforts to attract global and local investors to the country’s growing sugar industry, emphasizing untapped economic potential and robust government-backed incentives. During a meeting with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) on Tuesday, NSDC Executive Secretary Kamar Bakrin outlined a strategic push to expand domestic sugarcane production, citing rising regional demand and competitive advantages over imports.
Bakrin highlighted Nigeria’s $2 billion sugar market, part of Africa’s $7 billion sector, as a prime investment opportunity. He projected the continent’s supply deficit to reach 13 million tonnes by 2030, driven by population growth and production gaps. Additionally, he noted a $10 billion global market for sugar by-products like ethanol, bioplastics, and bioelectricity. “Local production is now more viable than imports,” he said, attributing this shift to Nigeria’s foreign exchange challenges, high consumption rates, and disruptions in global supply chains.
To support this vision, the NSDC has secured 150,000 hectares of arable land across regions with favorable climates, water access, and community cooperation. A commercial outgrower program will allocate 50,000 hectares to farmers operating near established sugar estates in Numan, Bacita, Sunti, and Lafiagi, targeting plots between 50–200 hectares. Bakrin emphasized four pillars for growth: market attractiveness, operational ease, economic viability, and sustainable business models.
Investors will receive incentives under the National Sugar Master Plan II (NSMP II), including tax holidays, infrastructure credits, equipment import waivers, and access to a development fund. Seedling subsidies, technical support, mechanization aid, and guaranteed purchase agreements further de-risk ventures. “We’re not just inviting investors—we’re equipping them,” Bakrin stated, stressing partnerships to ensure profitability.
The council also pointed to Nigeria’s potential to dominate Africa’s sugar trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), leveraging policy support and lower production costs. With land, incentives, and continental market access aligned, Bakrin framed the sector as a gateway to economic resilience and regional leadership. “This is more than agriculture,” he said. “It’s about building an industry that fuels Nigeria’s future.”
