Kogi State Deepens Ties with China for Agro-Industrial Growth
Kogi State has solidified a strategic cooperation agreement with Hezheng Holdings Group and Hezheng Digital Technology Co., Ltd. to accelerate its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme. This move signals a transition from conceptual design to operational implementation, aimed at transforming the state into a premier agricultural and industrial hub. Central to the partnership is the establishment of a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park, designed to attract global investment and integrate advanced processing capabilities into the state’s economy.
The SAPZ framework serves as the engine for this development, leveraging the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub, transformation centres in Anyigba, Alape, and Osara, and the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub. The initiative seeks to integrate local farmer clusters with an additional 150,000 hectares of land per zone, prioritising value chains such as rice, maize, cassava, and cashew. By incorporating critical support systems, including cold chain logistics, sustainable power solutions, and export infrastructure, the state aims to create a bankable ecosystem for large-scale, tenant-driven agricultural production.
A high-level delegation, led by the Auditor-General and Project Investment Adviser, Yakubu Okala, visited China to tour Hezheng’s facilities, gaining insights into industrial park management and agricultural technology integration. Deliberations between the two parties focused on actionable workstreams, including enterprise incubation, technology transfer, and equipment deployment. Both sides have aligned on a roadmap that includes preparatory activities for groundbreaking and the establishment of coordination offices across China, Abuja, and Lokoja.
This engagement builds on a broader strategic agenda initiated by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to unlock the state’s potential through international partnerships. Previous collaborations, such as the sister-city agreement with Hunan Province, have focused on establishing Kogi as a competitive destination for both mining and agro-industrial investment. As technical and commercial processes move forward, the state government remains committed to creating a secure and conducive environment for these foreign-led initiatives to thrive.