Twenty-five Chinese investors, led by China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC), are exploring $720 million worth of renewable energy and agriculture projects in Katsina State.

Proposed projects include rice, maize, cassava, fisheries, a 10,000-head cattle ranch, and solar power, indicating Katsina’s increasing attractiveness to foreign investors.

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Executive Secretary, Ms. A’isha Rimi, who was represented by NIPC Director of Strategic Services, Mr. Abubakar Yerima, during the inspection on Monday, announced that the investors also proposed a Leather Processing Factory, an Agricultural Research Institute for goat and cattle breeding, and a partnership on goat breeding.

Rimi further explained that the delegation was led by China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC), a state-owned Chinese Construction Conglomerate.

According to her, the investors also proposed a Leather Processing Factory, Agricultural Research Institute for goat and cattle breeding and a partnership on a Goat Breeding Centre at Rimi Local Government Area.

Others she said were Solar Power Products Assembly Plant, Agricultural Commodities Commercial Centre in Mai’adua, and PPP with the State Government for a Special Agricultural Processing Zone and Green Economic Zone.

The executive secretary also added that the projects would require about 4,000 hectares of land, with an initial investment commitment of $150 million.