By Chioma Adinkwu
The Delta State Government has intensified efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil through the development of the Delta Special Economic Zone (DSEZ), with the Koko and Kwale Free Trade Zones emerging as key hubs for industrialisation, investment and job creation.
Chairman of the Delta Special Economic Zone Management Company (DSEZ-MC), Brig. Gen. Mike Ndubisi (Rtd.), disclosed this on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during a press briefing at the company’s headquarters.
He said the 3,200-hectare economic zone, comprising 2,200 hectares at Koko and 1,000 hectares at Kwale, was established to drive the state’s Delta Beyond Oil initiative.
According to Ndubisi, the Federal Government licensed the zone in April 2023 through the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), offering investors incentives such as tax and duty exemptions, full profit repatriation and streamlined investment facilitation.
He commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for sustaining the initiative through funding, infrastructure development and investment support.
Ndubisi explained that the Koko Zone would focus on gas-based industries, petrochemicals, refining, steel, logistics and agro-processing. Companies operating there include Koko Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Delta Energy Park, Tetracore Energy Group and Huafei Auto Trading.
The Kwale Zone, he said, was strategically positioned to harness the state’s natural gas resources, with companies including Phoenix Gas, Delta Wire, Xenergi, Chorus Energy, Master Chemicals and Fertilizer, and South Atlantic LNG.
He added that an African Development Bank agro-industrial hub was planned for the zone, with 200 hectares already allocated for the proposed Special Agro-Industrial Processing programme.
The chairman also disclosed that Phoenix Gas would soon commence operations and supply about three megawatts of surplus electricity to Kwale and neighbouring communities.
On infrastructure, Ndubisi said Governor Oborevwori had approved five kilometres of internal roads in the Kwale Zone, with the contractor already on site. He added that a separate one-kilometre interlocked road being constructed by Xenergi was nearing completion.
He expressed optimism that the development of both zones would attract more investors, create employment opportunities for youths and stimulate economic growth across Delta State.
Ndubisi described the project as a demonstration of continuity in governance, noting that the initiative, conceived under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, had been sustained and expanded by the Oborevwori administration.
He maintained that the DSEZ would play a vital role in reducing the state’s dependence on oil while promoting sustainable industrialisation, investment and job creation under the Delta Beyond Oil vision.
