NIGERIA – AFEX, Nigeria’s leading commodities market player, has opened its newly built multi-grain processing plant in Kaduna state with an annual processing capacity of 100,000MT.

The new state-of-the-art plant, fashioned with modern grain sorting, cleaning and packaging equipment, also features the states largest single unit storage space with a holding capacity of 30,000MT.

The plant has the capability of processing a wide array of grains including maize, soy beans, sorghum, among others, sourced from local farmers in the Northern region.

Construction of the facility showcases the company’s commitment to spearheading growth of Nigeria’s agriculture industry.

Established in 2013, AFEX commenced operations with just 7 storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of 12,000MT.

Since then, the commodity trader has expanded to 150 storage facilities across the country with a holding capacity of 400,000MT, enhancing access of storage facilities by farmers, minimizing post-harvest losses and enabling them to have opportunity to assess the market and sale their produce at the most favourable time.

With the new facility, food manufacturing and processing players in the country will have access to quality and readily available raw materials for production of the various value-added consumers goods.

“Our Grain Quality Enhancement Center amplifies our prioritization of infrastructure wins that support the closure of quality and quantity gaps in commodity value chains.

“At AFEX, we continue to pursue our commitment to helping Africa achieve self-sufficiency in food production by building a more resilient food supply chain that provides better market outcomes for producers and consumers,” stated AFEX.

Opening of the new facility follows the company’s recent expansion into Kenya, East Africa’s largest and most diverse economy.

Entry into the new market followed a successful pilot phase in the last quarter of 2021, during which time maize was the main commodity traded.

According to the company, it has already recorded significant results, with over 4,000 metric tonnes of commodities traded and an estimated 7,100 served by AFEX through its eight warehouses currently operational in the country.

As part of the expansion, AFEX Fair Trade Limited (AFTL), has launched a US$1 million loan program that will allow farmers to gain access to seed and fertiliser for their crops, to mitigate ever rising commodities prices.

Under the program, 5000 Kenyan farmers will be able to take out input loans to access timely inputs and gradually scale their businesses.

Other than financial support, AFEX is bringing its depth of experience, and unique storage and distribution solutions to Kenya, with a goal of trading over 500,000 metric tonnes of agricultural commodities by 2025.

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