Chinese Investors Eye $720m Agriculture, Energy Projects in Katsina
A team of 25 Chinese investors, led by the China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC), has expressed interest in agricultural and renewable energy projects worth $720 million in Katsina State.
The investors inspected potential sites on Monday as part of efforts to expand their footprint in Nigeria, with proposed initiatives covering rice, maize, cassava, fisheries, cattle ranching, and solar power.
Disclosing this in Katsina, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ms. A’isha Rimi, said the projects reflect growing foreign investor confidence in the state. She was represented by the Commission’s Director of Strategic Services, Mr. Abubakar Yerima.
Rimi explained that the delegation aims to build a complete value chain in agriculture, including large-scale crop production, fisheries, and a 10,000-head cattle ranch, alongside renewable energy ventures.
“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,” she said.
Key project proposals for Katsina include:
2,500 hectares at Sabke Dam for maize cultivation and livestock feed.
380 hectares at Dabiram Dam for fisheries development.
A Leather Processing Factory and Agricultural Research Institute focused on goat and cattle breeding.
A Goat Breeding Centre in Rimi LGA.
A Solar Power Products Assembly Plant and Agricultural Commodities Commercial Centre in Mai’adua.
A Public-Private Partnership with the state to establish a Special Agricultural Processing Zone and Green Economic Zone.
Rimi added that the projects would require about 4,000 hectares of land, with an initial capital outlay of $150 million.
She praised the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency for its proactive efforts, which impressed the investors during visits to Jibia, Mashi, Daura, Mai’adua, and Kaita LGAs.
COVEC, a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited, is a major Chinese engineering and construction firm with a presence in nearly 100 countries. In Nigeria, it has signed partnerships to boost agro-industrial processing and continues to expand its role in infrastructure and agricultural development.
