JIGAWA, CHINESE FIRM SIGNS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT FOR MAIGATARI BORDER FREE ZONE
By Ali Baba-Inuwa 
In its continuous efforts to boost industrialisation and investment, the Jigawa State Government has signed a landmark joint venture agreement with the Shandong Hengtai Industrial Trading Company of China for the development, financing, construction, operation, and management of the Maigatari Border Free Zone.
The agreement, which was formally signed on Sunday, May 26, 2026, and facilitated by the Border Communities Development Agency of Nigeria (BCDA), marked another significant step in Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s commitment to transforming Jigawa into a leading destination for trade, industry, and investment in Northern Nigeria.
Established in 2000, the Maigatari Border Free Zone is strategically positioned along the Nigeria–Niger border, making it a critical gateway for regional commerce and cross-border trade within the West African subregion and the wider Sahel corridor.
The project is expected to stimulate industrial activities, attract foreign direct investment, promote export-orientated businesses, and create thousands of employment opportunities for the people of Jigawa State, particularly youths and small-scale entrepreneurs.
Speaking about the signed agreement, Governor Namadi described the project as a strategic and forward-looking initiative aimed at unlocking the vast economic potential of the state through international partnerships and private sector participation.
“This partnership represents our determination to build a stronger and more competitive economy for Jigawa State. The Maigatari Border Free Zone will not only open new investment opportunities but also enhance trade, manufacturing, logistics, and economic integration across the region,” he said.
The governor further explained that the initiative aligns with his administration’s 12-Point Agenda, especially in the areas of economic growth, infrastructure development, job creation, agriculture, and human capital development.
Under the terms of the agreement, the free zone will be developed into a modern industrial and logistics hub with facilities designed to support manufacturing, agro-processing, warehousing, commercial services, and export businesses, while the project is also expected to strengthen internally generated revenue and improve the overall business environment within the state.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Jigawa State Government by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, while Mr Zhang Ying, a Director of Shandong Hengtai Industrial Trading Company, signed on behalf of the Chinese investors.
The execution of this agreement further demonstrates the state government’s resolve to deliver enduring value through sustainable investment and structured international collaboration.
JIGAWA, CHINESE FIRM SIGNS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT FOR MAIGATARI BORDER FREE ZONE
