20th January, 2025
In a major boost to Nigeria’s industrialisation drive, Alpha Grip Management Company (AGMC), a subsidiary of UAE-based Alpha Group, has entered into a strategic partnership with China National Chemical Engineering International Corporation Ltd. (CNCEC) to develop, construct, and finance the $20 billion Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Delta State.
The agreement was formalised on January 15 during a ceremony at CNCEC’s headquarters in China, with Hon. Joseph Tegbe, Director General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), joining officials from both parties to witness the signing.
The partnership follows discussions at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where African leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, called for stronger economic collaborations with China.
At the forum, agreements focused on advancing projects in industrialisation, infrastructure, and energy development, with Nigeria identified as a key partner. The Ogidigben Gas Industrial Park is a testament to these commitments.
Designed to revolutionise Nigeria’s gas sector through large-scale infrastructure development, the Ogidigben Gas Industrial Park is one of the nation’s most ambitious industrial projects.
CNCEC President, Li Zhenyu, underscored Nigeria’s strategic role in the company’s global expansion, pointing to successful past projects such as the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery Complex.
“Nigeria remains a priority market for CNCEC, and we are committed to contributing to its growth,” Zhenyu affirmed.
Nigeria’s government was represented by Hon. Joseph Tegbe, who reiterated the administration’s dedication to deepening bilateral ties with China.
He highlighted President Tinubu’s strong endorsement of the Ogidigben project as part of his broader industrialisation agenda.
“This partnership is an important step in unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s resources. The Ogidigben project is a national priority that will drive significant economic growth,” Tegbe declared, aligning the collaboration with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
AGMC President, Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh, expressed appreciation to CNCEC and the Nigerian government for their support in finalising the agreement.
He hailed the project as a game-changer for Africa’s energy and industrial sectors, acknowledging the leadership of key stakeholders like Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum, and NNPCL’s GCEO, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, for their continued efforts in advancing the country’s gas sector.
The Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park will include power plants, fertilizer and petrochemical facilities, and aluminium smelters, among other infrastructure.
The project is expected to create thousands of jobs during both its construction and operational phases.
Bayorh noted, “This project is set to become Africa’s largest gas city, transforming Nigeria’s economic landscape.”
AGMC’s consortium of global investors, with assets exceeding $100 billion, will collaborate with CNCEC to expedite the project’s implementation.
Both parties are confident that the partnership will accelerate Nigeria’s industrialisation in the gas sector, reinforcing the importance of Nigeria-China relations and the role of international cooperation in achieving Nigeria’s developmental goals.