The Ogun State government, via the State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency (OgunInvest), is collaborating with the Manufacturing Africa initiative, a programme of the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at the British High Commission, and Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Ltd to revitalize the state’s manufacturing sector.
In line with this, an interactive session with the media will highlight this important partnership, aiming to boost investor confidence and promote Ogun State as a key industrial hub in West Africa.
Ms. Sola Arobieke, Special Adviser/DDG of OgunInvest, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. She emphasized that the Manufacturing Africa Programme plays a pivotal role in supporting industrial innovation across Africa, while the FCDO is committed to driving growth and promoting sustainable practices in manufacturing.
Arobieke added that the collaboration will draw on the FCDO’s expertise in market studies and corporate finance to develop a thriving manufacturing ecosystem in Ogun State and Nigeria.
According to her, the involvement of the Manufacturing Africa Programme highlights its commitment to driving industrial growth across Africa, creating high-quality jobs, and advancing technology.
She also praised Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Ltd for being a leader in electronic waste management. The company uses advanced technology and sustainable practices to manage e-waste and support environmental conservation while promoting best practices across Nigeria.
“Hinckley became Nigeria’s first government-approved e-waste recycler in 2016. The company is expanding to Ogun State, with a pioneering project to establish Africa’s first lithium-ion and lead-acid battery recycling plant. This $5 million project will use patented technology and create 100 direct jobs in its first year. The initiative is backed by market studies and financial assistance from Manufacturing Africa.”
“OgunInvest, chaired by His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, aims to position Ogun State as Nigeria’s industrial and logistics hub. The agency’s mission is to create an investor-friendly environment that attracts domestic and international investments, spurring economic growth.”
“In line with our mandate to attract and facilitate investments, OgunInvest provides comprehensive support to investors, offering a one-stop solution for all investment facilitation needs. This includes guiding investors through regulatory requirements and providing aftercare services to ensure successful operations,” the statement read.
Arobieke outlined the benefits of the partnership:
1. Economic Growth and Job Creation: Through FCDO’s Manufacturing Africa initiative, Ogun State will benefit from foreign direct investment, with the creation of 90,000 jobs over seven years in Africa. The Hinckley partnership will create 100 jobs through its battery recycling facility.
2. Technology and Knowledge Transfer: Ogun State will gain access to patented UK battery recycling technology developed by Solveteq and Imperial College London, positioning the state as a leader in this field.
3. Environmental and Health Protection: Sustainable e-waste recycling will help reduce environmental pollution and protect public health by addressing issues like lead poisoning and child labour in unsafe recycling practices.
4. Building Investor Confidence: The collaboration demonstrates Ogun State’s investor-friendly environment, strengthening its position as a leading industrial investment destination in Nigeria.
The joint press conference will be held on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, at 4 p.m., featuring the Chief Economic Adviser and Finance Commissioner, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Montgomery CMG, and the UK Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, among others.
