The Kogi State government has secured an agreement with the People’s Republic of China for the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone, which will operate as a Free Trade Zone.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo announced this during a meeting with a Chinese delegation led by Ms. Yan Yuqing, Consul General of China in Lagos, at the Government House, Lokoja.
Governor Ododo assured that necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks would be provided in collaboration with private sector partners to ensure project success.
He stated,
“The Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone will become a model for industrial and economic transformation, with every requirement met for smooth execution.”
Ms. Yan Yuqing noted that the Hunan Province government, with the Chinese government’s backing, spearheads the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone initiative.
She stressed that Chinese investors must support the project, aligning with long-standing bilateral commitments between Nigeria and China.
“The Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone reflects deep economic and trade ties between China and Nigeria, driving industrial growth and sustainable development,” she said.
Alhaji Inda Ali Salami, Kogi’s Chief Economic Adviser, described the project as ambitious, requiring full commitment from both state government and private sector partners.
He pledged that the state government would apply global best practices in free trade zone development for the project’s success.
The agreement follows Governor Ododo’s earlier visit to the Chinese Consular in Lagos, where he engaged the Chinese government as a core investor in the project.
The Chinese delegation also toured key infrastructure in Ajaokuta, including the Ajaokuta train station, Geregu Power Station, and ongoing gas projects, essential for the zone’s smooth operation.
Spanning 3,000 hectares within the Ajaokuta economic development corridor, the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone is positioned to drive industrialization and enhance Nigeria-China trade relations.
