The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has set 2025 as the year for fast-tracked sugar project development in Nigeria.
Executive secretary/CEO, NSDC Kamar Bakrin, made this declaration during a meeting weekend with investors from Uttam Sucrotech International (India), Niger Food Security Systems & Logistics Ltd, and American West African Agro (AWAA).
The discussions centred around Utham’s role in supporting the Greenfield project established by AWAA in Niger State, with Utham providing key services for sugar development. Utham’s Global Business Development Leader, Sanjiv Gulati, highlighted the company’s expertise in setting up field and factory operations for sugar projects across India, Europe, and Africa. He also mentioned their capability in fabricating equipment for the sugar industry and their success in achieving a 13 per cent sugar recovery rate.
Adding to the discussions, Utham’s financial expert, Mr. Flavio Castellari, shared insights from the Brazilian sugar industry, particularly strategies that Nigeria could adopt to boost funding and efficiency in its own sugar projects.
The executive chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, further elaborated on financing arrangements for the development of a 100,000-hectare sugar project in Niger State. He highlighted the importance of corporate and sovereign guarantees in securing funding and emphasised the company’s track record in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
During the meeting, Bakrin assured the investors of the NSDC’s full support for accelerating sugar project development, particularly in improving sugar yield on estates across the country. He also inquired about the sugar recovery rate at the Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), where Utham is involved, and was assured of a 12.3 per cent recovery rate.
Joining Bakrin at the meeting were other key officials from the NSDC, including Edirin Akemu, director of Strategy and Performance Management; Teslim Bello, senior adviser to the executive secretary; Balarebe Ladan, acting director of Project Development and Investment Promotion; and John Adaga, head of Project Development and Support Division.
