The Kogi State government has officially secured a historic partnership with the People’s Republic of China for the establishment of the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone, which will operate as a Free Trade Zone.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo made gave the indication at a meeting with a Chinese delegation led by the Consul General of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, at the Government House in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The Governor assured the delegation that the Kogi State government, together with private sector partners, would ensure that the necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are in place to facilitate the successful development of the project.
“We are committed to making the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone a model of industrial and economic transformation,” he stated.
Ms. Yuqing highlighted that the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone represents a significant bilateral initiative, backed by both Hunan Province and the Chinese government.
She emphasized that Chinese investors in Nigeria have a responsibility to engage with the project, helping to drive industrial growth and contribute to the long-term development goals of both nations.
The Chief Economic Adviser to the Kogi State Government, Alhaji Inda Ali Salami, described the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone as an ambitious project requiring the full commitment of both the state government and its private sector partners.
He reassured the delegation that global best practices would be employed to ensure the project’s success.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah,in a statement explained that the partnership follows several rounds of discussions, including a prior visit by Kogi’s economic team to the Chinese Consulate in Lagos, which helped set the stage for the formal agreement. Explaining further, he said, the 3,000-hectare Free Trade Zone will be strategically located in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor, benefiting from essential infrastructure like the Ajaokuta train station, Geregu Power Station, and ongoing gas projects.
The Chinese delegation also toured vital infrastructure in Ajaokuta, all critical to the successful operation and development of the zone.
The Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone is set to be a catalyst for industrial growth and economic transformation, cementing the growing trade relationship between Nigeria and China.