Kwara State in North Central Nigeria has recorded at least two foreign investments valued at $35 million, underscoring Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s drive for industrialisation and economic growth in the state.
Sun Qing Rong, team lead of ER-KANG Company Limited, said the firm has concluded and flagged off its $20 million lithium factory, aligning with the state government’s policy of promoting value addition and expanding local manufacturing capacity.
He said the company currently employs more than 300 workers, most of whom are indigenes of Kwara State, adding that the plant processes lithium into finished materials rather than exporting it in raw form without value addition.
Rong also disclosed that the firm is setting up a pharmaceutical company in Kwara State valued at over $15 million. He added that the company would partner with the state government on the industrial park project.
“This is one of the fruits of the meeting that we held with Your Excellency in Beijing about two years ago. Today, we have completed the lithium plant and it is up and running. And this year, we are starting the pharmaceutical company with the help of Your Excellency,” he said.
“The factory will include two phases of construction for large infusion and small volume injection workshops, which will make up for the shortage of such products in the Nigerian market. At present, the relevant preparatory work is basically completed,” he added.
Rong commended Governor AbdulRazaq for providing what he described as an outstanding investment environment for foreign investors, noting that the company operates with a strong sense of social responsibility in its host communities.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction with the investments, saying they would create jobs, encourage technology transfer, and boost the local economy.
“We are willing to support you and others to invest more in our state,” the governor said.
Other members of Rong’s team at the meeting included the company’s lawyer, Barrister Ibrahim Atanda; Project Architect, Sayi Yekeen; Quality Control Supervisor, Shuai Hai Tao; Factory Manager, Cao Zheng Hai; Pharmaceutical Manager, Xie Chuan Li; and Administrative Manager, Mi Guang Hua.
The Special Adviser on Special Duties, AbdulRazaq Jiddah, joined the governor at the meeting.