The Kogi State Government has intensified its global partnerships as it moves to accelerate the implementation of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.
According to the statement which was signed by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, the SAPZ initiative is a comprehensive agro-industrial strategy aimed at boosting food production, expanding processing capacity, generating employment, attracting private investment, and positioning the state as a key agricultural and industrial hub in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the engagement is the planned development of a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park within the state.
The project, which aligns with the SAPZ framework, is expected to drive agro-processing, enable technology transfer, support mechanisation, promote enterprise incubation, strengthen logistics and cold chain systems, improve export infrastructure, and ensure sustainable energy supply.
Under the SAPZ structure, the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub will serve as a central facility, supported by Agricultural Transformation Centres in Anyigba, Alape, and Osara, alongside the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub.
The initiative aims to integrate existing farmer clusters while expanding cultivation through an additional 150,000 hectares of farmland per zone to support large-scale agricultural production.
Key value chains identified for development include rice, maize, cassava, livestock and poultry, sesame, cashew, oil palm, and greenhouse farming.
The programme also integrates essential support systems such as warehousing, cold chain logistics, power supply solutions, compressed natural gas (CNG), agricultural technology, mechanisation, and agro-export infrastructure.
As part of efforts to transition from planning to execution, the state signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hezheng Holdings Group and Hezheng Digital Technology (Hezheng Innovation Valley) Co., Ltd. The partnership is designed to attract credible technical partners, industrial park operators, investors, and global market platforms into the SAPZ ecosystem.
The state delegation was led by Alhaji Yakubu Okala, who represented the governor, alongside key officials including the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ojomah Timothy; Technical Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata; Chief Economic Adviser, Alhaji Aliyu Inda Salami; and Project Consultant, Mr. David Lekan Obatolu.
During the visit, the delegation toured several Hezheng facilities, including its investment promotion centre, agricultural exhibition hall, global launch hall, and live-streaming incubation base.
The tour offered insights into industrial park management, enterprise support systems, agricultural technology integration, and international market development strategies.
Discussions between both parties centred on practical implementation areas such as industrial park development, processing infrastructure, technology transfer, investment mobilisation, enterprise incubation, and equipment deployment. Both sides also explored frameworks for establishing a sustainable China–Kogi industrial cooperation platform.
The parties expressed strong alignment on the project vision, with plans to advance technical and commercial processes in the coming months. These include groundwork preparations and the establishment of coordination offices in China, Kogi State, and Abuja.
The engagement reflects the determination of the Kogi State Government to move the SAPZ programme from concept to reality, while positioning the state as an attractive destination for agro-industrial investment.
Reaffirming its commitment, the government stated that the initiative will strengthen food security, promote value addition, create jobs, improve farmer-market linkages, boost exports, and unlock broader economic opportunities for residents.
