By Salim Umar Ibrahim
Ajrena Foods Limited, in partnership with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and its delivery partner Propcom+, has officially commissioned a new state-of-the-art peanut-cleaning and coated-snack processing factory in Kano State, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s local agribusiness sector.
Speaking during the commissioning, Executive Director of Ajrena Foods, Mr. Ajay Ramnani, described the facility as a testament to the power of collaboration and local innovation. He noted that the project, funded in part by a grant from FCDO, will process locally-grown peanuts into Nutzy-branded coated snacks, create jobs, and boost rural incomes.
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“This facility is not just a factory; it is the realization of a vision we began over a decade ago—to process Nigerian peanuts to global standards and bring back the era of groundnut pyramids,” Ramnani said. “Thanks to the FCDO and Propcom+, we’ve been able to build, equip, and link our production directly to over 1,000 trained smallholder farmers, mostly women and youth.”
He revealed that the factory is dedicated to peanut cleaning and processing, and emphasized that backward integration has enabled traceability, quality control, and consistent supply from the grassroots. Nutzy products, including peanut butter, coated peanuts, and peanut puffs, now command over 80% of Nigeria’s domestic market.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Aminu Iliyasu, State Coordinator of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), commended Ajrena’s investment and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to revitalizing Kano’s agricultural value chain.
“Kano State, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is actively working to revive its agro-industrial base,” Iliyasu said. “This factory is aligned with our vision through the SAPZ programme, which seeks to attract private sector players into food processing hubs.”
He urged stakeholders to ensure the factory operates at full capacity, adding that the government welcomes similar private initiatives that can generate jobs, expand markets, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on food imports.
On her part, Dr. Adia Ode, Team Lead for the Propcom+ programme, said the partnership with Ajrena Foods exemplifies how donor-funded support can de-risk agribusiness ventures and unlock inclusive economic impact.
“Through our collaboration, we co-financed this factory and strengthened the supply chain from smallholder farmers to market. It’s a shared success,” Ode said. “The facility also addresses aflatoxin contamination—a major barrier in Nigeria’s peanut sector—while providing nutrition and jobs.”
She noted that the initiative has led to steady incomes for farmers, better agricultural practices, and increased access to affordable, nutritious peanut-based products that contribute to reducing malnutrition.
Ajrena’s peanut processing plant is expected to serve as a catalyst for agribusiness development in Northern Nigeria, building on Kano’s legacy as a groundnut production hub while modernizing food processing and supply chain efficiency.
