Investment Opportunities
Nigeria’s sugar sector transformation requires substantial investment – estimated at $4.5 billion to achieve the NSMP’s ambitious goals of 2 million MT annual production and cultivate 250,000 hectares.
Tailored Pathways : Find Your Ideal Investment Entry Point
The NSDC welcomes credible investors across various scales and structures, offering distinct pathways to participate in this growth story. These opportunities are aligned with the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), a comprehensive strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production.
Commercial Farming Programme
Commercial Sugarcane Outgrower Farming: The Accessible Path to Nigeria's Sugar Revolution
Commercial sugarcane farming offers a more accessible entry point into Nigeria’s sugar value chain, requiring less capital than fully integrated operations while still delivering attractive returns on investment.
This approach allows a wider range of investors to participate in the sector’s growth while supporting the National Sugar Master Plan’s objectives.
Key Objectives of Commercial Sugarcane Outgrower Programme
The goal of the commercial sugarcane outgrower programme by the NSDC is to scale up local sugarcane production and create a peaceful co-existence between the sugar operators and their host communities in a manner that engenders development and improvement of livelihood for the communities. Specifically, the key objectives include:
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Increase sugarcane production to meet the growing national demand for raw materials essential for refined sugar manufacturing and other derivatives.
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Empower farmers and rural communities by providing smallholders and commercial farms with resources, training, and financial support to improve productivity.
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Promote sustainable agricultural practices by implementing best practices in environmental conservation, efficient land use, and water management.
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Enhance market access and price stability through guaranteed offtake agreements and fair pricing mechanisms, making sugarcane farming a profitable and sustainable business case.
Eligibility Criteria
Corporate Documentation
- Certificate of Incorporation (CAC), including Forms CAC 2 and CAC 7 (or CAC 1.1).
- Valid Income Tax Clearance Certificate for 2021–2023 (valid until December 31, 2024).
Technical Proposal
- Detailed approach to implementing the outgrower scheme, including farming and yield improvement methods.
- Company profile with an overview, key staff, and relevant CVs.
Eligibility Criteria
• Minimum of 50-100 hectares under cultivation with three years’ cash crop farming experience, preferably sugarcane.
• Records of the last three farming cycles, including crop types, quantities, and market details (local or export).
• Verified production figures showing stable or increasing output trends.
• Proven use of sustainable farming practices (certifications are a plus).
• Financial stability with proof of prior investments and a clean credit history.
• Capacity for large-scale farming with adequate staff, infrastructure, and technical expertise.
• Compliance with NSDC regulations and no regulatory violations.
Sworn Affidavit for Confirmation of no conflicts of interest with NSDC or Bureau of Public
Procurement and accuracy of all submitted information.
Evidence of financial capability to execute the project by submission of Reference Letter from
a reputable commercial bank in Nigeria
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Partner with Nigeria to achieve sugar self-sufficiency, capitalize on a $10+ billion sugar and bio-product market, and drive sustainable growth.
- +234-913-177-8882
- info@nsdc.gov.ng
- Sugar House, 10 Oro-ago Crescent, Off Mohammadu Buhari Way, Garki 2, Abuja 900104
Greenfield Projects Pipeline
Pioneering the Future: Build Sustainable Sugar Ecosystems from Scratch
For investors seeking to shape a project from its inception, Nigeria’s greenfield sugar opportunities offer immense potential.
These projects involve developing entirely new, integrated estates on carefully selected sites with ideal conditions for sugarcane cultivation and processing.
This allows for the implementation of the latest, most efficient technologies and sustainable practices right from the start.
Investment Ready Greenfield Projects
Illaj Sugar (Kaduna)
Developing 6,000 ha near River Gilma, targeting 3,000 TCD capacity. Backed by Illaj Holdings, experienced in agro-processing.
Project Details
Location
Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria
Water Source
River Gilma with year-round water availability
Est. Investment Required
$280 million initial investment
Land size
6,000 hectares with potential for expansion to 10,000 hectares
Factory Capacity
Initial capacity of 3,000 TCD, expandable to 5,000 TCD
Promoter
Illaj Holdings, with established success in rice and flour milling
UMZA Sugar (Bauchi)
Planned 10,000 ha near River Jamaare, initial 1,000 TCD capacity. Promoter UMZA brings experience from large-scale rice farming.
Project Details
Location
Bauchi State, Northeastern Nigeria
Water Source
River Jamaare with reliable flow rates
Est. Investment Required
$195 million for full development
Land size
10,000 hectares of prime agricultural land
Factory Capacity
Initial capacity of 1,000 TCD, scalable to 3,000 TCD
Promoter
UMZA Group, with strong track record in integrated agriculture
Brent Sugar (Oyo)
Planned 10,000 ha near River Jamaare, initial 1,000 TCD capacity. Promoter UMZA brings experience from large-scale rice farming.
Project Details
Location
Bauchi State, Northeastern Nigeria
Water Source
River Jamaare with reliable flow rates
Est. Investment Required
$195 million for full development
Land size
10,000 hectares of prime agricultural land
Factory Capacity
Initial capacity of 1,000 TCD, scalable to 3,000 TCD
Promoter
UMZA Group, with strong track record in integrated agriculture
Land Bank
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Project Matching
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Partner with Nigeria to achieve sugar self-sufficiency, capitalize on a $10+ billion sugar and bio-product market, and drive sustainable growth.
- +234-913-177-8882
- info@nsdc.gov.ng
- Sugar House, 10 Oro-ago Crescent, Off Mohammadu Buhari Way, Garki 2, Abuja 900104
Brownfield Projects
Scale with Speed: Invest in the Expansion of Nigeria's Sugar Champions
Investing in Brownfield projects means partnering with Nigeria’s most experienced sugar producers.
These companies have already navigated the complexities of establishing operations, building supply chains, and achieving market presence.
Your investment fuels the next stage of their growth under the National Sugar Master Plan’s Backward Integration Program (BIP), accelerating the journey towards self-sufficiency.
Brownfield Projects
Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR)
Nigeria’s largest sugar player, owning the expansive Savannah Sugar estate (Numan, Adamawa) and developing a massive site at Tunga, Nasarawa
$2 Billion
Indicative Investment Need
(Equity: $600M, Debt: $1.4B)
Expansion Vision
Significantly increasing land under cane and milling capacity to reach 720,000 MT annual sugar production
LASUCO Sugar Company (BUA Foods Plc)
West Africa’s second-largest refiner with facilities in Lagos & Port Harcourt. Actively developing the Lafiagi estate (Kwara)
$645 Million
Indicative Investment Need
(Equity: $190M, Debt: $455M)
Expansion Vision
Growing the Lafiagi estate and associated milling capacity for 295,000 MT annual sugar production
Golden Sugar Company (Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc)
Operates the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate (Niger State) and a 750,000 MT refinery in Lagos
$745 Million
Indicative Investment Need
(Equity: $600M, Debt: $1.4B)
Expansion Vision
Developing further land and increasing milling capacity for 300,000 MT annual sugar production
Bacita Sugar Company (KIA Group)
Nigeria’s pioneering sugar estate (established 1961) located on highly fertile, well-watered land in Kwara
$270 Million
Indicative Investment Need
(Equity: $80M, Debt: $190M)
Expansion Vision
Bringing the estate back into full production, targeting 100,000 MT annually with a new 7,000 TCD factory
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Partner with Nigeria to achieve sugar self-sufficiency, capitalize on a $10+ billion sugar and bio-product market, and drive sustainable growth.
- +234-913-177-8882
- info@nsdc.gov.ng
- Sugar House, 10 Oro-ago Crescent, Off Mohammadu Buhari Way, Garki 2, Abuja 900104
Investment Models
The NSDC welcomes credible investors across various scales and structures, offering distinct pathways to participate in this growth story. These opportunities are aligned with the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), a comprehensive strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production.
Joint Venture
Partner with existing sugar companies or the NSDC to share resources, risks and returns.
- Reduced capital requirements
- Access to local expertise
- Shared operational risk
- Simplified regulatory navigation
Full Ownership
Establish and operate independent sugar operations with complete control.
- Total operational control
- Full profit retention
- Flexible business strategy
- Brand development opportunity
Public-Private Partnership
Collaborate with state governments to develop sugar estates on favorable terms.
- Facilitated land acquisition
- Infrastructure support
- Potential tax advantages
- Community inclusion
The Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP)
The National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) is Nigeria’s blueprint for revolutionizing its sugar industry. With the goal of reducing dependency on imported sugar, creating jobs, and boosting economic development, NSMP is setting the stage for a self-sufficient, sustainable, and thriving sugar sector.
- Launch
1
NSMP Launch (2013)
The Nigerian Sugar Master Plan was launched to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production.
2
Phase 1 Review (2017 )
Initial implementation phase reviewed, with adjustments made to address challenges.
3
NSMP Extension (2023)
The Nigerian government extended the Sugar Master Plan for an additional 10 years to 2033.
4
Target Year (2033)
Nigeria aims to achieve complete self-sufficiency in sugar production by this date.
- FINISH
Market Data
Nigeria’s sugar market presents a compelling investment case based on strong local demand, limited domestic supply, and supportive policy environment.
1.8 million MT
Annual sugar consumption in Nigeria
+3.5% CAGR
35,000 MT
Avg annual sugar
production
< 3% of consumption
$2 billion
Nigerian
Market size
Sugar only
$7 billion
African
Market size
Sugar only
Investment Incentives
Nigeria offers substantial incentives to support sugar industry investments, reducing costs and enhancing returns for qualified projects aligned with the National Sugar Master Plan.
Beyond Sugar
Expanded By-Product Market
There are significant opportunities in high-value by-products and derivatives
There are significant opportunities in high-value by-products and derivatives such as
biofuels, polymers, bio-plastics, animal feeds and electricity
Ready to Explore Investment Opportunities?
Contact the Nigeria Sugar Development Council to discuss how you can participate in the transformation of Nigeria’s sugar industry.