Tinubu Commends GB Foods’ for Establishing Africa’s Largest Tomato ProcessingPlant in Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended GB Foods’ for establishing the biggest tomato processing factory in Africa in Nigeria, saying that the investment has affirmed the confidence of foreign investors in Nigeria.
Tinubu gave this commendation during the inauguration of the GB Foods’ state-of-the-art integrated tomato processing plant and expanded farm facilities in Gafara, in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said: “Let me say that this is the second time I am coming to Kebbi State in a little over a month. First, I visited a rice mill, the largest in West Africa, and today I’m visiting the largest tomato factory in Africa, all in Kebbi State.”
In his speech, the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, expressed gratitude to the company for engaging 3,335 local out-growers for tomato production in the state and pledged the state government’s support to ensure that the plant would operate at maximum capacity.
Idris emphasised the significance of the factory as the largest tomato processing facility and promised to provide the necessary assistance and protection for its success.
The Chief Executive Officer of GB Foods Nigeria, Mr. Vincent Egbe, said that the GB Foods’ farm and factory in Kebbi generated 75 per cent of the total tomato concentrate produced in Nigeria during the 2022- 2023 season.
Egbe said that the demand still exceeded the supply despite this significant contribution, which highlighted the need for further expansion and advancement in the sector.
He added that in December 2023, the company further solidified its position by expanding its Lagos tomato sachet factory to an unprecedented 100,000 metric tons, securing its position as the largest of its kind globally.