Abuja: The Kebbi Government has expressed plans to establish a gold refinery in the state as part of efforts to attract foreign investment and drive economic diversification. Alhaji Ali Jega, Board member of the Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), announced this initiative during a pre-Summit Investors’ Engagement in Abuja, preceding the Kebbi Investment Summit slated for February 2026.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Jega highlighted that Kebbi is richly endowed with mineral resources, with a significant portion of the Sokoto Basin, believed to contain oil and gas deposits, located within the state. He noted that Kebbi ranks second nationwide in gold deposits, with a group of investors from Dubai showing interest in setting up a gold refinery in the state. The refinery is expected to process gold from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, enhancing the state’s position as an export hub for refined gold in the sub-region.
The proposed refinery aims to gain accreditation from the London Gold Market and Switzerland. Jega emphasized that this investment could address local security challenges by creating jobs and engaging youths in productive activities.
Additionally, the Director-General of the Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency, Mr. Mohammed Kamba, underscored the significance of the pre-summit event for the state’s industrial development. He mentioned that 22 investment proposals across sectors such as energy, agriculture, mining, and transport had been evaluated. Kamba stressed the strategic location of Kebbi, highlighting its proximity to the West African market, which could be advantageous for Nigeria under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lawrence Osakwe, Managing Director and CEO of Karlot Energy Ltd., expressed the company’s interest in investing in Kebbi. He noted that the state’s relative peace and stability in the northern region influenced their decision to invest in renewable energy services.