Business

Chinese Investing $1bn into Nigeria’s sugar Industry

In the agreement, SINOMACH is set to start by constructing a sugar production plant and sugarcane plantation with an annual production capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes, while the NSDC will facilitate and assist in obtaining the necessary authorisations, approvals and permissions to undertake the project.

Published

1 year ago

April 17, 2025

OCHEFA

336 Views

SINOMACH, a Chinese conglomerate, is investing $1 billion in Nigeria’s sugar Industry.

The memorandum of understanding for the development of a sugarcane cultivation and processing plant capable of producing one million metric tonnes of sugar has been signed by the investor and the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

While SINOMACH is expected to contribute its vast expertise, resources, and experience in the execution of the project on an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) basis, the biggest advantage of the arrangement is that the Chinese conglomerate would also be financing it.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Executive Secretary/CEO of NSDC, Kamar Bakrin, said that 2025 represents a pivotal year for accelerated development in Nigeria.

Bakrin said: “It is a critical period during which we expect to make significant strides in our national journey towards economic self-sufficiency and food security, especially given the fiscal pressure that Nigeria faces.“

A robust sugar industry will deliver several benefits to Nigeria. These include the creation of thousands of sustainable jobs across the value chain. Sugar, by its very nature, leads to extensive rural infrastructure development.

For Nigeria, it will also result in substantial foreign exchange savings, as it will substitute imports, which currently account for the bulk of the country’s sugar consumption.

We envision a sugar sector, when fully developed, that will serve as a blueprint for Nigeria’s broader industrialisation strategy. And, of course, China, being the world’s leader in industrialisation, can easily relate to this.

“We believe that the sugar industry can serve as a model in this regard, as it allows us to adopt a creative and transformative approach to achieving scale and speed – critical elements for Nigeria’s development.

Specific elements that we believe, if successfully implemented in the sugar sector, can be replicated in other areas of Nigeria’s industrialisation include a strategic approach to sector development, the establishment of enabling policy frameworks, effective aggregation of critical production inputs, acquisition of technical skills and competencies and innovative financing solutions.”

He said that the signing marked the beginning of what could evolve into a long-term relationship capable of delivering as much as one million metric tonnes of locally produced sugar, thereby strengthening the country’s domestic production capacity and reducing import dependence.

“It is indeed a unique model, as it combines both EPC and development financing—an essential requirement for agro-industrial development in the country,” Bakrin said.

The Vice President of SINOMACH, Li Xiao Yu, acknowledged that as Africa’s largest economy, the country’s vigorous implementation of the NSMP to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production is laudable.

“We deeply admire this vision – it is not only an industrial policy but also a sweet revolution tied to food sovereignty and economic dignity.

We firmly believe that, through joint efforts, the success of the plantation and sugar mill project will enhance Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency, spur economic development in surrounding areas, create substantial employment, modernise the agricultural value chain, and generate long-term and sustainable social benefits.

“We view our partnership with NSDC not merely as a commercial endeavour, but as a concrete step toward implementing the shared vision of our two Heads of State to enhance agricultural cooperation and promote common development,” he said.

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FG Plans to Extend Lagos Rail Line to Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals

Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 per mcent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.

Published

4 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced at the ongoing Invest in Lagos 3.0 summit, that the federal government has concluded arrangements to extend the existing Lagos rail network to the domestic and international terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA).

The move is aimed at improving connectivity and strengthening Lagos’ position as an aviation hub in Africa.

He said discussions between his ministry and the state government are ongoing.

The extension will link the rail line that currently terminates at Ikeja Bus Stop to the airport.

According to Keyamo, the line will pass through the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), continue to the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), and end at the international terminal.

“That rail line is about to start. It is the extension of the rail line. So, Lagos is just ready for the next big step in terms of its aviation activities,” the minister said.

The project is expected to ease access to Nigeria’s busiest airport. It also supports the government’s ambition to position Lagos as a major aviation and logistics hub on the continent.

The proposed link will complement Lagos’ expanding rail network.

Last month, the Lagos State Government said the Blue Line carried about 3.5 million passengers in 2025, with daily ridership rising to 15,000 commuters. Work continues on its extension to Okokomaiko and expansion of services on the Red Line.

Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 percent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.

He argued that the state’s location gives it a natural advantage to compete with established aviation hubs.

“Just six hours across the Atlantic, you will get to South America from the Lagos airport. Six hours down, you will get to Southern Africa. Six hours to the Middle East, you will get to Dubai or Qatar. Six hours up, you will get to Europe, either France or London.

That is the equidistant advantage that Lagos provides as a hub for the whole of Africa. We will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa and Lome,” he said.

The minister also highlighted ongoing investments in airport infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said about $500 million has been committed to reconstructing and modernising the international terminal at Lagos airport.

The investment will transform the ageing facility into a modern airport capable of handling growing passenger and cargo traffic.

Keyamo added that the federal government has expanded Nigeria’s international airport network. Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo and Maiduguri International Airport have been designated as international airports, bringing the total to seven.

He said the resolution of the long-running dispute between BASL and the federal government shows the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in aviation.

He urged local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in the sector, including the proposed airport project in the Lekki-Epe corridor promoted by the Lagos State Government.If implemented, the airport rail extension will provide direct rail access to the country’s busiest aviation gateway.

It will complement ongoing investments in Lagos’ mass transit system and support broader efforts to improve mobility in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Business

Exchange Rates Today, Wednesday 10 June, 2026

Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100

Published

4 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

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Official CBN Exchange Rates

US Dollar (USD) ₦1,360.55

Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,823. 00

EURO (EUR) ₦1,873.61

SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,709. 02

JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.49

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200.92

West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.40

West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,856. 66

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦362. 38

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.71

Black Market Rates

US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400

Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100

South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370

Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200

Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦100 Sell ₦115

West African CFA Buy ₦2,450 Sell ₦2,550

Central African CFA Buy ₦2,320 Sell 2400

Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900

Credit: CBN I Aboki Forex

Business

Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit Attracts more than 600 delegates

Ohibaba.com reports that the summit, themed “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,” featured presentations from representatives of the Presidency and the governors of Lagos, Imo, Abia, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa states.

Published

8 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

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• Representatives of government and private sector delegates at the summit

Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit attracted more than 600 delegates—including global institutions, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and trade networks.

The host governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called for increased private sector investment in rail transport, energy, agriculture, agro-processing and water infrastructure.

He said that addressing transportation challenges would unlock Lagos’ economic potential, reduce travel time, boost productivity and improve returns on investment.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment through ongoing fiscal reforms. He said the new tax law has eliminated multiple taxation, improved compliance and provided relief for small and medium enterprises.

Oyedele added that stamp duty collection has been transferred to state governments and commended states that have adopted harmonised tax systems.