Uba Sani Aims to Transform Kaduna into an Industrial Center

Governor Uba Sani is actively working to transform Kaduna State into the industrial nucleus of Northern Nigeria by promoting local manufacturing sectors, digitizing businesses, and empowering innovators.

While addressing attendees at the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Thursday, the Governor stressed that 'economic transformation cannot be imported.'

Delegating his address to the Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology, Mrs. Patience Fakai, Uba Sani elaborated that true 'economic transformation must come from within.'

He praised the theme of this year’s Trade Fair, which revolves around 'From Reforms to Results: Economic Transformation Through Sustained Local Content Development.'

'By bolstering our farmers, aiding our manufacturers, embracing digital business models, and fostering creativity among innovators, Kaduna State is strategically poised to become the industrial hub of Northern Nigeria,' he elaborated.

The Governor highlighted key initiatives such as overhauling the Panteka market, promoting agro-processing and value addition, and enhancing digital innovation hubs along with technology ecosystems as pivotal components of this vision.

Additionally, he mentioned targeted procurement policies that favor local businesses and the enhancement of access to financing for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, all part of his administration’s broader economic revitalization strategy.

Defining local content development, he insisted on the necessity of ensuring that 'Kaduna talent, resources, and companies are central to the region’s growth narrative.'

He pointed out that innovation serves as the essential link between reform and tangible economic outcomes, highlighting the state’s focus on enhancing digital skills for youth and women.

Uba Sani asserted that Kaduna State is receptive to business and prepared for future challenges, as it is 'creating an ecosystem where innovation meets funding, ideas transform into enterprises, and creativity fuels productivity.'

He further stated that the Kaduna International Trade Fair stands as one of the most significant economic platforms in West Africa, providing a stage to showcase local products and services.

The Governor added that the event fosters trade relations, invites both domestic and foreign investments, and enhances inter-state as well as regional collaboration.

He urged potential investors to collaborate with Kaduna State, assuring that 'we promote bold entrepreneurship and inspire relentless innovation among our youth. We assure development partners that Kaduna remains a trustworthy ally.'

'Our approach to local content guarantees that growth will not be limited to a few sectors, but will be distributed across agriculture, manufacturing, services, creative sectors, and digital technology.

'When local enterprises flourish, communities thrive. As opportunities expand through innovation, and as partnerships grow deeper, transformation accelerates,' he concluded.