Benue State Government has announced a major partnership with Chinese companies to establish a solar panel factory and battery production facility in the state. The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with firms including Sinoki Systems Limited to set up these new industrial projects.

According to Hon. Alex Addingi, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on International Investment, this initiative will bring the production of Benue Electric vehicles as well as lithium-ion batteries to power them. “The company which would produce hybrid solar panels and lithium batteries would also draw most of their raw materials, including silicon, within the state,” Addingi explained. “The silicon in Benue, which is of high quality and in abundance, would also be extracted for export.”

Information gathered from Asortar James had that the new solar panel production is also expected to boost power supply and reliability across the state, helping to address the frequent blackouts that have long hampered economic activity. Addingi stated that the project may be structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) and is set to commence soon, as the state government and Chinese investors finalize the agreements.

This announcement comes ahead of Benue State’s upcoming Economic Summit in November 2024, which the government hopes will attract further investment. Addingi said the summit will also pave the way for the establishment of a Benue Economic City, which is envisioned to host up to 50 companies and position the state as a major business hub in the North-Central region and beyond.

“The Economic city…would make Benue, a major hub for business activity in the North Central, and indeed the country,” Addingi remarked.

The partnership with Chinese firms for car manufacturing and battery production is a significant step forward for Benue State’s industrial development and economic diversification plans. If successfully implemented, it could create new jobs, boost power supply, and solidify the state’s position as an attractive investment destination.