AA&R investments eyes AfCFTA to strengthen Nigeria’s agribusiness, energy and IT sectors
AA&R investments eyes AfCFTA to strengthen Nigeria’s agribusiness, energy and IT sectors
AA&R Investment Group, led by Abdullahi Haske, is strategically positioning its subsidiaries to capitalize on opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to expand investments in agribusiness, energy, logistics, and information technology. The group has evolved into a multi-sector company focused on reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports and building regional value chains, using AfCFTA as a platform to scale operations beyond national borders and promote cross-border trade.
The company views Nigeria’s projected 3.4% economic growth in 2025, according to the IMF, as a call for private-sector-led investments to drive long-term development. AA&R’s approach is to target sectors that address real problems while generating inclusive opportunities for communities. Key initiatives include the Demsa Integrated Rice Project and the Kaiama Cassava Initiative, which connect smallholder farmers to processing facilities and structured markets, thereby supporting food security, increasing rural incomes, and reducing reliance on imported staples.
Beyond agriculture, AA&R has investments in oil and gas, maritime, aviation, and technology, all designed to build resilient, sustainable businesses that create jobs and attract long-term capital. The group emphasizes that each subsidiary is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Nigerian economy by developing local value chains and leveraging technology for competitiveness.
Community engagement and human capital development are central to AA&R’s model, particularly in formalizing informal sector activities, which constitute over half of Nigeria’s GDP. With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050, AA&R is aligning its growth plans with the need for scalable infrastructure and industrial capacity. The company sees this approach as a way to position indigenous firms as leaders under AfCFTA while contributing to the long-term stability and growth of the Nigerian economy.
