By Atoyebi Nike
A team of 25 Chinese investors has visited Katsina State to assess opportunities for major agricultural and renewable energy projects valued at more than $700 million.
The visit was confirmed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), A’isha Rimi, who was represented by Director of Strategic Services, Abubakar Yerima.
Led by the China Overseas Engineering Group, the delegation expressed interest in a range of ventures, including rice, maize, cassava, and fisheries value chains, as well as a proposed 10,000-head cattle ranch. They are also considering agricultural machinery assembly plants, a solar power facility, and a leather processing factory.
According to Rimi, potential projects in Katsina include utilizing 2,500 hectares of Sabke Dam for maize cultivation to produce livestock feed and developing a fisheries chain around Dabiram Dam. Other proposals include an agricultural research centre for goat and cattle breeding, a goat breeding partnership in Rimi LGA, and a Special Agricultural Processing and Green Economic Zone.
The investors requested about 4,000 hectares of land for the initiatives, with an initial investment of $150 million. Rimi noted that the group has already committed $200 million in Niger State, scaled up to $720 million, and recently announced $620 million in Jigawa and $500 million in Oyo State.
The delegation inspected potential sites in Jibia, Mashi, Daura, Mai’adua, and Kaita LGAs, with Rimi praising the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency for its strong preparations.
