The Kwara Garment Factory has entered into a significant management and operation agreement with KWS Garment Production Village, positioning the state as a major hub for apparel manufacturing. Folake Akindele, founder and CEO of Tiffany Amber, will lead KWS Garment Production Village as the private sector operator of the facility.
This partnership, formalized on May 12, 2026, in Ilorin, is a key component of Kwara State's industrialization strategy. The factory is equipped for large-scale production across fashion, sports, and institutional needs, with a capacity to support up to 4,000 workers.
A deliberate focus on women's empowerment is evident, with approximately 80% of the production workforce being women. The facility also operates on a foundation of sustainability, powered by an on-site solar plant.
Folake Akindele highlighted the agreement as a milestone for industry, infrastructure, and job creation in Nigeria and Africa. She emphasized the factory's role in bridging the gap in reliable manufacturing infrastructure, enabling competitive and efficient local production.
Meanwhile, Kwara State is also spearheading an ambitious livestock industrialisation agenda. The state aims to transform Nigeria's animal production sector into a $70bn economy and significantly reduce the nation's reliance on imported dairy products, which currently amount to over $1.5bn annually.
Commissioner for Livestock Development, Hon. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, stated that livestock is a strategic sector for economic growth and job creation. The state is shifting from subsistence farming to a modern, commercial, and industrial model to attract investment and boost productivity.
Kwara is targeting 100,000 metric tons of milk production, projected to inject $150 million into the state's economy. This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's reform agenda and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's agricultural transformation drive.
A Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone is being developed as a modern agro-industrial hub. This zone will provide essential infrastructure, including roads, power, water, cold storage, abattoirs, and veterinary clinics, to support large-scale livestock production and processing.
The zone will also facilitate value addition in dairy, supporting the manufacturing of products like butter, cheese, yoghurt, and powdered milk. The commissioner noted that capturing even a small percentage of Nigeria's butter import market, valued at $310 million in 2023, could yield over $31 million for Kwara.
Major dairy companies like Danone, Fan Milk, and FrieslandCampina have existing milk collection systems and are ready to absorb increased local production. The state also sees opportunities in the processed meat market, with Nigeria importing about $10.1 million worth of sausages in 2023.
