Edo secures Chinese deal for 10 million metric tons cement plant

The Edo State Government said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm for the production of 10 million metric tons of cement annually.

Kassim Afegbua, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation disclosed this at a press conference on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Benin City.

Afegbua said the company, to be sited at the Igue community in the Owan East Local Government Area, would boost job creation for teeming youths and help curb insecurity when completed.

He said by the middle of next month, the first step towards realising the goal will commence.

Read also: Edo upholds Revenue Service’s role in revenue collection, bans MDAs

“We are hoping that when that is completed, we will generate employment for our teeming youths and also help tackle the incidences of kidnapping and insecurity. So we are not resting on our laurels,” he said.

He, however, called on local and international investors to come and invest in the state, assuring them that there is huge land available for agricultural cultivation and production.

“There are people who want to grow rice production. People who are already growing cassava aside from that of the government. Some people are already growing palm produce aside from the big ones we know, such as Okomu and Presco. Other people are also into corn farming and maize farming,” added.

The proposed facility, if delivered, will raise the number of cement producers in Edo to three, alongside BUA Cement and Dangote Cement in Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area.

BusinessDay recalls that during the administration of Lucky Igbenedion, the state commenced the construction of AVA Cement Company Limited at Eigbegere/ Ikpeshi in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

The state government had invested the sum of N3.9 billion in a now-abandoned project.

Read also: Edo govt highlights economic stimulus, infrastructure gains amid criticism

The construction works of the company were abandoned due to a lack of funds to pay demurrage for imported machines and equipment, non-clearance of the last batch of machines supplied and payment of workers’ salaries.

It was gathered that the company has been taken over by Assey Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) because of debts owed to banks.

When the AVA cement is taken over from AMCON by the state government and revived, it will reinforce the state’s position as a major cement hub in Nigeria with four manufacturing companies.