Kogi State Government has strengthened its partnership with China as part of efforts to boost the implementation of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) project aimed at boosting agriculture, industrialisation and job creation.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
According to the statement, the renewed collaboration is focused on attracting technical expertise, investment and infrastructure support needed to drive the SAPZ initiative.
“The project is designed to improve food production, expand processing capacity, create employment opportunities and position Kogi State as a major agro-industrial hub in Nigeria”, he said.
Fanwo explained that a key component of the partnership is the planned development of a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park in the state stressing that the facility will support agro-processing, technology transfer, equipment deployment, enterprise incubation, logistics, cold chain systems, export infrastructure and sustainable power solutions.
He further noted that the SAPZ structure in Kogi State includes the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub, Agricultural Transformation Centres in Anyigba, Alape and Osara, as well as the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub, with priority value chains covering rice, maize, cassava, livestock, poultry, sesame, cashew, oil palm and greenhouse farming.
According to the Commissioner, discussions with Chinese partners also centred on industrial park development, investment mobilisation, processing infrastructure and a long-term China–Kogi industrial cooperation framework.
He added that the engagement reflects the state government’s commitment to transitioning the SAPZ project from planning to full implementation while positioning Kogi State as an emerging agro-industrial destination in Nigeria.
