A 25-member delegation of Chinese investors, led by state-owned China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC), on Monday visited Katsina State to explore opportunities in agriculture and renewable energy.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ms A’isha Rimi, disclosed this on Monday in Katsina shortly after the inspection tour. She was represented by the NIPC Director of Strategic Services, Mr Abubakar Yerima.
According to Rimi, the investors are targeting many opportunities in Katsina, including rice, maize, cassava, fisheries, a 10,000-head cattle ranch, and solar power initiatives. She noted that the proposals extend to agricultural machinery assembly plants and leather processing facilities.
“With NIPC facilitation, they have already committed $200 million in Niger State, which has now been expanded to $720 million. They also recently announced $620 million in Jigawa and $500 million in Oyo State. If they find the right opportunities here in Katsina, we are looking at a similar level of investment,” Rimi said.
The proposed projects in Katsina are designed to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
They include: 2,500 hectares of Sabke Dam for maize cultivation to produce livestock feed, 380 hectares Dabiram Dam for a complete fisheries value chain, Leather Processing Factory and Agricultural Research Institute for goat and cattle breeding, A partnership with the Rimi Local Government Area on a Goat Breeding Centre, Solar Power Products Assembly Plant, Agricultural Commodities Commercial Centre in Mai’adua, A PPP with the Katsina State Government for a Special Agricultural Processing Zone and Green Economic Zone.
The projects, which require about 4,000 hectares of land, are expected to commence with an initial investment commitment of $150 million.
Rimi commended the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency for its proactive efforts, noting that the visiting investors were impressed by the level of preparation and presentations.
As part of the inspection process, the delegation toured sites in Jibia, Mashi, Daura, Mai’adua, and Kaita local government areas.
China Overseas Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (COVEC) is a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited, specialising in international infrastructure and development.
With operations in nearly 100 countries, COVEC has executed more than 1,000 projects.
Source: Nairametics
