Arjena Foods has launched a new groundnut processing facility in Nigeria aimed at enhancing the country’s agricultural value chain. The factory will produce Nutzy-branded coated peanut snacks using locally grown peanuts, supporting rural livelihoods and reducing post-harvest losses. The project is expected to create employment opportunities, increase demand for local produce, and contribute to boosting rural incomes across farming communities

Ajrena Foods Limited, in partnership with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and its delivery partner Propcom+, has commissioned a state-of-the-art peanut processing and snack manufacturing facility in Kano State, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.

The new factory will process locally grown groundnuts into Nutzy-branded coated snacks and other peanut-based products. Funded in part by a grant from the FCDO, the project is designed to create jobs, support over 1,000 trained smallholder farmers—primarily women and youth—and boost rural incomes through direct sourcing and backward integration.

“This facility is the realization of a decade-long vision to restore Nigeria’s groundnut prominence,” said Ajrena Foods Executive Director Ajay Ramnani, highlighting its ability to meet global quality standards and reduce aflatoxin contamination. The plant addresses key challenges in the peanut value chain, including traceability, quality control, and farmer-market linkage.

The initiative is part of Propcom+’s broader mission to de-risk agricultural investments and drive inclusive growth. Dr. Adia Ode, Team Lead at Propcom+, emphasized the role of donor-supported financing in catalyzing private sector participation and improving nutrition through affordable, safe food products.

Kano State officials praised the factory’s alignment with the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, aimed at revitalizing the region’s agro-industrial base and attracting private investment.

Ajrena’s Nutzy product line—which includes peanut butter, coated snacks, and roasted peanuts—now accounts for over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic peanut snack market, signaling strong local demand and growing industrial capacity.