Kogi State has moved to deepen its agro-industrial development drive through a strategic partnership with Chinese investors, marking a key transition in the implementation of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.
The agreement, signed with Hezheng Holdings Group and Hezheng Digital Technology (Hezheng Innovation Valley) Co., Ltd., signals a shift from planning to execution as the state seeks to position itself as a competitive agro-industrial hub in Nigeria.
The SAPZ initiative is structured as an integrated platform aimed at boosting food production, strengthening processing capacity, and attracting private sector investment. It is also designed to generate employment, enhance value addition, and improve export competitiveness across key agricultural value chains.
At the centre of the collaboration is the development of a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park in Kogi State. The project will support agro-processing activities, facilitate technology transfer, and provide infrastructure for enterprise incubation, logistics, and cold chain systems. It will also incorporate sustainable power solutions and agro-export facilities to ensure long-term viability.
The SAPZ framework in Kogi includes the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub, supported by Agricultural Transformation Centres in Anyigba, Alape, and Osara, as well as the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub. The model integrates existing farmer clusters while opening up an additional 150,000 hectares of farmland per zone to enable large-scale, tenant-driven agricultural production.
Priority commodities under the programme include rice, maize, cassava, livestock and poultry, sesame, cashew, oil palm, and greenhouse farming. Supporting systems such as warehousing, compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure, agricultural equipment deployment, and export logistics are also embedded within the design.
According to officials, the partnership reflects a deliberate strategy to bring in credible technical partners and global investors capable of driving industrial park development and operational efficiency. “This collaboration represents a critical milestone in our effort to move the SAPZ from concept to reality,” a member of the delegation said during the engagement.
The Kogi delegation was led by the State Auditor General and Project Investment Adviser, Alhaji Yakubu Okala, who represented the Governor. Other members included the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ojomah Timothy; Technical Adviser to the Governor’s Office, Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata; Chief Economic Adviser, Alhaji Aliyu Inda Salami; and the Managing Director of Pulse Engineering and Consulting Limited, Mr. David Lekan Obatolu.
During the visit, the team toured Hezheng’s investment promotion centre, agricultural exhibition facilities, and enterprise incubation platforms. The sessions provided insights into industrial park management systems, agricultural technology integration, and cross-border market access strategies.
Discussions between both parties focused on actionable areas including processing infrastructure, equipment deployment, investment mobilisation, and the establishment of a structured China–Kogi industrial cooperation framework. Both sides expressed alignment on the implementation roadmap and agreed to advance technical and commercial workstreams in the coming months.
Preparatory steps towards project mobilisation are expected to include groundwork for site development and the establishment of coordination offices across China, Kogi State, and Abuja.
State officials maintain that the partnership reinforces Kogi’s commitment to building a bankable agro-industrial ecosystem. By linking farmers to processors and markets, the SAPZ programme is expected to strengthen food security, expand export capacity, and unlock new economic opportunities across the state.
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