Kogi State Partners with Chinese Firms in Ajaokuta for SAPZ Expansion

News in brief:

-Kogi partners with Chinese firms to drive SAPZ expansion and agro-industrialisation.

-Project targets processing capacity, job creation and reduced post-harvest losses.

Kogi State has recently intensified efforts to transform its agricultural sector through expanded international collaboration, deepening ties with Chinese firms to accelerate the implementation of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.

According to the State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the SAPZ initiative is designed as a comprehensive system that integrates production, processing, logistics and market access.

He explained that the programme seeks to reposition agriculture in the state from a subsistence activity to a fully industrialised sector capable of attracting investment and generating employment.

The framework includes cold storage infrastructure, technology transfer hubs, logistics systems and dedicated power solutions aimed at addressing long-standing inefficiencies in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

Ajaokuta Hub Anchors Large-Scale Expansion

At the centre of the plan is the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub, supported by Agricultural Transformation Centres in Anyigba, Alape and Osara. The structure also features the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub, which is expected to enhance export logistics and improve access to international markets.

Each zone is projected to connect directly with farmer clusters and scale production across as much as 150,000 hectares, covering key commodities such as rice, maize, cassava, sesame, cashew, oil palm and poultry.

A major component of the initiative is Kogi State’s cooperation with Hezheng Holdings Group and Hezheng Digital Technology, aimed at transitioning the project from planning to execution.

The partnership is expected to provide not only funding but also technical expertise, industrial park management systems and digital agricultural solutions.

State officials visited several Hezheng facilities, including investment centres and agricultural innovation hubs, to understudy operational models for integrating technology into large-scale agro-industrial systems.

Technical Engagement Focuses on Implementation

The Kogi delegation, led by Alhaji Yakubu Okala, engaged Chinese partners on key implementation areas, including processing infrastructure, equipment deployment, investment mobilisation and operational frameworks.

Discussions also focused on establishing a structured cooperation model capable of sustaining the project beyond political cycles. Plans are underway to set up coordination offices in China, Abuja and Kogi State to streamline execution.

Both parties have agreed on a roadmap that will see technical workstreams commence in the coming months, alongside preparations for groundbreaking activities. The development marks a transition for the SAPZ initiative from conceptual planning to early-stage implementation.

Expected Impact on Economy, Food Systems

If successfully executed, the SAPZ programme is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmer incomes and attract private sector investment into rural communities.

It also holds potential to generate employment across farming, processing, logistics and export value chains while strengthening Nigeria’s broader push for economic diversification.

However, stakeholders note that the project’s success will depend on consistent funding, infrastructure stability and effective execution.