• The Nigerian government targets 1.8 million tonnes of annual sugar production by 2033, up from 75,000 tonnes currently.
• The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) approved the Lee Group to implement a new sugar project in Taraba State.
• This project follows major 2024 deals, including a $1 billion partnership with SINOMACH and agreements covering 400,000 tonnes of annual output.

Nigeria relies heavily on imports for nearly all its sugar consumption. The government seeks to reverse this situation. It intensifies partnerships with the private sector to mobilize investment and support its ten-year industry development plan, initially launched in 2022.

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) in Nigeria now supports the private company Lee Group. They plan the imminent implementation of a new sugar project in Taraba State, located in the northern region.

A delegation comprising representatives of both the NSDC and the Lee Group met the State Governor on Sunday, November 9. They secured the local authorities' collaboration, the official approval, and necessary access to land for the project.

NSDC, Lee Group to set up multi-million-dollar sugar project in Taraba

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the Lee Group have taken a significant step towards the successful take-off of a massive sugar production site in Taraba state.

The Executive Secretary/CEO… pic.twitter.com/aP6Qqj7L6G

— National Sugar Development Council (@nsdcnigeria) November 8, 2025

Kamar Bakrin, NSDC Executive Director, confirmed the project criteria were met during the meeting. “Taraba State has brilliantly met all our technical and environmental criteria. We consider it one of the most promising sites for sugar investment in Nigeria. Lee Group, through its subsidiary GNAAL Sugar, has also met our requirements in terms of financial strength and technical expertise,” Bakrin stated.

Currently, major project details like the precise location, final cost, or target production capacity remain undisclosed. Nonetheless, the initiative directly aligns with the objectives of Phase II of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP II), launched in 2022. Under this roadmap, Nigeria aims to increase its annual sugar production to 1.8 million tonnes by 2033. This represents a substantial leap from the current production of barely 75,000 tonnes per year.

This latest development confirms the government's strong willingness. It continues mobilizing greater investment through public-private partnerships to achieve its growth ambitions in the sugar industry. Just last August, the NSDC concluded separate agreements with four sugar companies operating in different states. These deals aim to develop projects capable of producing 400,000 tonnes of sugar annually. Earlier, in April, the organization also announced a $1 billion partnership with the Chinese conglomerate SINOMACH. This partnership plans to establish a major sugar complex capable of producing 1 million tonnes of sugar per year.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum