KATSINA: The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Conference has come and gone but Katsina state has used the opportunity to market its investment potentials to boost its administration鈥檚 capacity.
During the prestigious 3-day summit held from June 12-15, 2025 with the theme, 鈥淐hina and Africa: Together Towards Modernization鈥 held in Changsha, China, the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda proudly used the opportunity to present the various investment potentials in the state.
Radda presented Katsina State鈥檚 transformative potential to investors, government officials, and business leaders, describing the state as West Africa鈥檚 logistics and commercial hub.
He emphasized that the state鈥檚 privileged access to over 400 million people in the ECOWAS market through its international border with Niger Republic. With over 10 million dynamic residents and strategic highway connections to major Nigerian cities, the state offers investors unparalleled market reach.
Governor Radda showcased the state鈥檚 agricultural prowess, revealing massive opportunities in mechanized farming. 鈥淲e currently have over 438,000 farms ready to benefit from investors willing to form farming clusters for production and the state鈥檚 2.5 million hectares of arable land and year-round farming capabilities through government-led irrigation programs鈥.
The agricultural sector presentation included the state鈥檚 newly commissioned Agricultural Mechanisation Centre, which boasts 400 Lovol tractors with matching implements, combine harvesters, and multi-planters.
The Governor assured potential investors of government support, stating that, 鈥淭he government partners with major commodity buyers and will facilitate take-off agreements for large investors.鈥
In mining, Radda who positioned Katsina as 鈥渢he new mining frontier,鈥 revealed that there are rich deposits of gold, lithium, iron ore, manganese, nickel, kaolin, and marble.
鈥淢ost sites are at early exploration stage, offering first-mover advantage. The state currently has over 30 exploration licenses ready for partnership with investors,鈥 he disclosed.
The Governor further emphasized the state鈥檚 commitment to value addition, declaring that, 鈥渢he state government offers land, infrastructure, and pioneer status to firms ready to add value and process minerals locally, not just extraction.鈥
On renewable energy, Governor Radda revealed Katsina鈥檚 exceptional solar and wind potential, stating that, 鈥淜atsina records over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually and hosts proven wind corridors. Perfect for utility-scale solar and wind farms鈥, projecting doubled electricity demand within the next decade.
The Governor assured investors of government commitment through bankable power purchase agreements and enabling regulations, adding that, 鈥淥ur people pay for reliable power. With the right investments, you can secure predictable, high-yield returns,鈥.
While speaking on water infrastructure which emerged as another key investment area, Radda revealed significant opportunities in Build-Operate-Transfer partnerships.
鈥淲e are seeking Build-Operate-Transfer partners for water treatment plants, distribution networks, irrigation, and even bottled water for regional markets and guaranteed cost-reflective tariffs and ready contracts for delivering operators,鈥 the Governor assured.
On health investment, the Governor pitched the state鈥檚 expanding network of primary health centers and a planned state-of-the-art diagnostic and specialist hospital, saying, 鈥淥ver 10 million people, young, growing, are demanding quality health services, equipment, and pharmaceuticals鈥.
Concluded his presentation, Radda assured potential investors: 鈥淲e guarantee safe operations, full repatriation of profits, and a dedicated Investment Promotion Agency to guide you every step of the way.鈥
He also emphasized federal and international backing for the state鈥檚 transformation projects through partnerships with the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and African Development Bank.
鈥淜atsina is open for investment. We are not just offering resources, we are offering partnership, reliability, and a government that works for you,鈥 Governor Radda declared.