Kwara gets $20m Lithium plant

A Chinese firm, ER KANG Company Limited, has established a $20 million lithium processing factory in Kwara State, aimed at promoting value addition, local manufacturing, and job creation. The company said the move is also intended to prevent the export of raw minerals without processing. Team lead of the company, Sun Qing Rong, disclosed this […]

A Chinese firm, ER KANG Company Limited, has established a $20 million lithium processing factory in Kwara State, aimed at promoting value addition, local manufacturing, and job creation.

The company said the move is also intended to prevent the export of raw minerals without processing.

Team lead of the company, Sun Qing Rong, disclosed this in Ilorin during a meeting with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday. 

He said the lithium plant is already operational.

Sun explained that the facility converts lithium into ready-to-use industrial materials, ensuring the mineral is processed locally rather than exported in its raw form. 

He noted that the initiative aligns with government policies promoting value addition in the state.

According to Sun, the company currently employs more than 300 workers, most of whom are indigenes of Kwara State.

“This is one of the fruits of the meeting we held with the Governor in Beijing about two years ago. Today, we have completed the lithium plant, and it is up and running,” Sun said.

He also announced that ER KANG is setting up a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Kwara, valued at over $15 million, bringing the total Chinese investment in the state to about $35 million. 

Construction of the pharmaceutical facility will begin this year with the support of the state government.

“The factory will include two phases of construction for large infusion and small-volume injection workshops, which will help address shortages of these products in the Nigerian market. Preparatory work is largely complete,” he added. 

Sun thanked the state government for providing a conducive investment environment and highlighted the company’s strong commitment to social responsibility within host communities. 

He further revealed that ER KANG would partner with the government in developing the proposed industrial park.

 

 

 

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction with the investments, describing them as key drivers of job creation, technology transfer, and economic diversification in Kwara.

 

 

 

“We are willing to support you and other investors to bring more projects to our state,” he said.

 

 

 

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts credible investors and accelerates industrial growth.