Vice President Kashim Shettima says African nations must take their rightful place in controlling the continent’s resources and global trade.
Shettima gave a speech on Friday while touring and evaluating the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
According to him, Africa has to build enterprises that can turn raw materials into higher-value goods in order to make the most of its abundant natural resources.
The vice president stated that with the federal government collaborating with subnational governments, Nigeria’s reinvigorated industrialisation drive would not leave any region behind.
He acknowledged his appreciation for Benin’s efforts to achieve mass production and export of locally generated resources.
Shettima expressed regret that Africa receives only approximately 1% of the world cotton business, which is valued at 370 billion dollars.
He stated that restoring Nigeria’s textile value chain could create millions of jobs, increase non-oil exports, and drive economic activity across the country.
Shettima expressed his satisfaction after inspecting cotton, textile, cashew and soya bean oil production facilities at the industrial zone.
“We are here essentially at the behest of President Tinubu, in the spirit of his Renewed Hope Agenda, to see and peer-review global best practices,” he said.
The vice president said the visit would help Nigeria learn from Benin’s experience in creating integrated value chains for cotton, cashew and soybeans.
“We are setting up eight agro-industrial zones in eight states in our country,” he said.
He also stated that the GDIZ represented “an African success story where there is a whole chain of value addition in cotton, cashew and soya bean value chains.
“Be rest assured that we have learnt a lot of lessons through this visit, and we are going to replicate a lot of that in Nigeria.”
He noted that the federal government remained focused on making Nigeria one of the world’s industrialised nations under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade of Benin informed the vice president on the GDIZ’s structure, production capacity, and investment possibilities.
The crew saw integrated textile and agro-processing plants that convert locally produced cotton into yarn, fabric, and finished clothing.
It also visited facilities that process cashews and other agricultural goods for home use and export.
Nigeria aims to learn from Benin’s success in linking agriculture and manufacturing, attracting private investment, and transforming raw materials into higher-value finished products.
Shettima was joined by governors from Kwara, Imo, Katsina, Plateau, Zamfara, and Jigawa states.
