In a bold leap towards industrial transformation, the Kogi State government has inked a groundbreaking agreement with the People’s Republic of China to launch the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone as a Free Trade Zone. This strategic collaboration is set to redefine the region’s economic landscape.
During a high-profile event at the Government House in Lokoja on Tuesday, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo welcomed a distinguished delegation of Chinese investors and consular officials, led by Lagos-based Consul General Ms. Yan Yuqing. The governor underlined his administration’s commitment to crafting a robust infrastructure and regulatory framework to ensure the project’s swift and smooth initiation.
“Our vision is to transform the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone into a beacon of industrial and economic innovation,” Governor Ododo declared. “In partnership with our private sector allies, we are mobilizing every resource needed to guarantee a seamless and timely rollout of this ambitious project.”
Consul General Yan Yuqing echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the pivotal role of Chinese investment in driving sustainable development. “This initiative not only highlights the deep-rooted economic and trade ties between China and Nigeria but also offers our investors a unique opportunity to foster enduring growth in the region,” she stated, reinforcing China’s longstanding commitment to nurturing bilateral partnerships.
Adding further momentum to the project, Chief Economic Adviser Alhaji Inda Ali Salami characterized the Free Trade Zone as an ambitious venture that demands complete dedication from both the state government and its private partners. He assured the delegation that the project would be executed by leveraging global best practices, ensuring a model development that could set new benchmarks for free trade zones worldwide.
This landmark partnership was preceded by a strategic visit to the Chinese Consular in Lagos, where senior economic officials laid the groundwork for Chinese government backing. The collaboration reached a pivotal moment with the formal agreement to activate the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone, set on a sprawling 3,000-hectare plot within the Ajaokuta economic development corridor.
In an exploratory tour, the Chinese delegation also inspected key infrastructural assets including the Ajaokuta train station, Geregu Power Station, and several critical gas projects—all essential components destined to underpin the future success of the Free Trade Zone.
With the fusion of international investment and robust local commitment, Kogi State is poised to usher in a new era of industrial excellence and sustainable economic growth.
