Kogi Deepens China Partnership to Fast-Track Agro-Industrial Zone Project »

The Kogi State Government has intensified its collaboration with Chinese partners as part of efforts to accelerate the implementation of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.

The move follows a strategic cooperation agreement signed with Hezheng Holdings Group and Hezheng Digital Technology, marking a shift from planning to execution of the ambitious agro-industrial initiative.
The SAPZ programme is designed to boost food production, expand processing capacity, create employment, and attract private sector investment, positioning Kogi as a major agricultural and industrial hub in Nigeria.

At the centre of the partnership is the proposed development of a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park in the state. The facility is expected to support agro-processing, drive technology transfer, promote enterprise incubation, strengthen logistics and cold chain systems, and enhance export infrastructure, alongside providing sustainable energy solutions.

The SAPZ framework in Kogi includes the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub, Agricultural Transformation Centres in Anyigba, Alape, and Osara, as well as the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub. The programme aims to integrate existing farmer clusters while expanding cultivation with an additional 150,000 hectares of farmland per zone to support large-scale agricultural production.

Key value chains targeted under the initiative include rice, maize, cassava, livestock and poultry, sesame, cashew, oil palm, and greenhouse farming. The project also incorporates support systems such as warehousing, cold chain logistics, agricultural technology deployment, and agro-export infrastructure.

The state delegation to China was led by Yakubu Okala, who represented the governor. Other members included the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ojomah Timothy; Technical Adviser to the Governor’s Office, Abdullahi Ozomata; Chief Economic Adviser, Aliyu Inda Salami; and Project Consultant, David Lekan Obatolu.

During the visit, the delegation toured key Hezheng facilities, including its investment promotion centre, agricultural industry exhibition hall, and enterprise incubation hubs. The tour offered insights into industrial park management, agricultural technology integration, and global market development strategies.

Discussions between both parties focused on practical steps toward implementation, including industrial park development, investment mobilisation, equipment deployment, and the establishment of a sustainable China-Kogi industrial cooperation platform.

Officials from both sides expressed alignment on the project vision, with plans underway to advance technical and commercial processes ahead of full project rollout. Preparations are also ongoing for groundbreaking activities and the establishment of coordination offices in China, Kogi State, and Abuja.

The state government said the partnership underscores its commitment to transforming the SAPZ programme into a fully operational, investment-ready agro-industrial ecosystem aimed at enhancing food security, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.