Shettima: Africa Must Take Control of Its Resources, Trade to Drive Industrial Growth

Shettima: Africa Must Take Control of Its Resources, Trade to Drive Industrial Growth

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on African nations to take greater control of their natural resources and trade, stressing that the continent must harness its vast economic potential to secure a stronger position in the global economy.

Speaking on Friday during an official visit to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Senator Shettima said Africa possesses abundant resources but continues to reap only a fraction of their value due to limited industrial processing and value addition.

Leading a delegation of Nigerian governors on an assessment tour of the industrial hub, the Vice President said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to accelerate industrialisation across Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring that no region of the country will be left behind.

He said the Federal Government, working closely with state governments, is implementing policies aimed at transforming agriculture into a major driver of industrial growth, employment and economic diversification.

Shettima noted that Africa accounts for a significant share of global cotton production but receives only a small percentage of the value generated from the international cotton industry.

“Of the approximately $370 billion global cotton industry, Africa earns only about one per cent. This must change. Through value addition and industrialisation, Nigeria can revive its textile sector, create millions of jobs, expand non-oil exports and stimulate sustainable economic growth,” he said.

The Vice President described the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone as a model of successful industrial transformation, saying Nigeria would adopt key lessons from Benin’s integrated approach to agro-processing and manufacturing.

“We are here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to study global best practices in industrialisation and value addition. Nigeria is establishing eight Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across the country, and this visit has provided practical insights that will help us achieve that vision,” he added.

During the visit, the delegation toured the industrial zone’s cotton, textile, cashew and soybean processing facilities, where locally produced agricultural commodities are transformed into finished products for domestic and international markets.

The Nigerian delegation was received by Benin’s Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, in charge of Industry and the Promotion of Private Investment, Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, who briefed them on the structure, investment opportunities and production capacity of the industrial zone.

Established through a partnership between the Government of Benin and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, the 1,640-hectare Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone commenced production in 2021 and currently hosts textile, garment, cashew, soybean and other manufacturing industries, providing more than 25,000 jobs.

The Vice President said the visit aligns with Nigeria’s drive to strengthen agricultural value chains, attract private investment, promote technology transfer and expand local manufacturing capacity.

Governors who accompanied the Vice President included AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

The governors expressed their readiness to replicate similar industrial projects in their respective states through public-private partnerships, youth employment initiatives and stronger linkages between agriculture and manufacturing.

To mark the visit and promote environmental sustainability, Vice President Shettima and the governors planted trees within the industrial zone, reaffirming their commitment to green industrial development and regional economic cooperation.

Shettima: Africa Must Take Control of Its Resources, Trade to Drive Industrial Growth