… As Stakeholders Set for Abuja Briefing
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of the Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone, paving the way for the takeoff of the Ajaokuta Economic City as the Kogi State Government begins preparations for a major stakeholders’ briefing in Abuja.
The initiative follows the strategic partnership between the Kogi state government led by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Zhuzhou Municipal Government of Hunan Province, China, under the Kogi–Hunan Sister Province Relationship.
According to the invitation to the official media briefing by Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Kogi State Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnership Agency (KSIPPA), Aliyu Inda Salami, government agencies, investors and development partners will be briefed on the project framework, investment opportunities and next steps at the event in Abuja this Tuesday.
He described the upcoming briefing as part of ongoing efforts to deepen sub-national diplomacy and accelerate industrial development in the state.
Hon. Salami noted that the Ajaokuta Economic City represents a major milestone in Kogi’s economic diversification drive, emphasizing its potential to attract foreign direct investment, promote technology transfer and strengthen Nigeria–China cooperation in manufacturing, logistics and trade.
He stated that stakeholder participation is key to shaping the project’s rollout, adding that designated Nigerian and Chinese contact officers are already coordinating engagement ahead of the Abuja event.
The Chief Economic Adviser stressed that the Economic City is designed to serve as a modern industrial hub, offering opportunities across infrastructure development, industrial production, and special economic zone operations.
He urged stakeholders to attend the briefing, stressing that the project will play a central role in boosting employment, expanding trade corridors and enhancing Kogi State’s long-term competitiveness.
Recalled, the Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone was recently approved as a sub-national partnership between Kogi State and Hunan Province in the People’s Republic of China with the Kogi State Executive Council endorsing the initiative as a major investment driver for the state’s future economic growth aligning with Nigeria’s long term strategic positioning as an investment destination in Africa.
