The Kebbi State Government has revealed that plans are underway with foreign investors to establish a gold refinery in the state.
Alhaji Ali Abbas Jega, board member of the Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday at the pre-summit event for investors ahead of the Kebbi Investment Summit in February 2026.
Speaking at the event, he said, “In terms of raw materials, Kebbi is richer than Kuwait and Qatar and we also have deposits of gas and oil in Kebbi.
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“Therefore when you talk about Sokoto Basin, 70% of Sokoto Basin lies in Kebbi Estate and that area is full of gas and oil. More than what is in the Niger Delta.
“Secondly when you talk about gold deposits, Kebbi is second and as I’m talking to you, a group from Dubai just contacted us, they want to come and establish a gold refinery in the state in order to be able to harness the gold there. They will be bringing the gold from Niger, from Burkina Faso, from Mali, then refine it in the Sokoto – Kebbi axis.
“We will establish an export center of gold in Kebbi and the refinery is accredited because talks have already been done. It will be accredited by the London Gold Market and Switzerland. Therefore, investing in Kebbi is one of the most powerful weapons to neutralize banditry and get the younger ones involved in business.”
Also, Mohammed Kabir Kamba, the Director General, KEBI Investment Promotion Agency said the pre-summit event was critical to the industrial development of Kebbi State.
“Today we have screened 22 proposals in different sectors of the economy, energy, agriculture, and mining, and transport, and this is a pre-summit event, so we could engage these investors and be sure that we reach financial close by February 11th next year.
“Kebbi is very strategic in location and the Nigerian government needs to understand how close we are to the West African market, in some instances less than a kilometre, and we are the closest location to the West African market than any state in Northern Nigeria, and if Nigeria is to achieve the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, investing in transport and logistic infrastructure in Kebbi State will be critical for achieving these goals,” he added
One of the potential investors, Engr. Lawrence Osakwe, MD/CEO of Karlot Energy Limited stated that the company is said to be a renewable energy service company which is showing interest in Kebbi state “Because of the states in the northern region that has relative peace and stability.
