Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said his administration is positioning Kaduna as Northern Nigeria’s industrial hub by supporting local manufacturing clusters, digitising enterprises and supporting innovators.
The governor, who stated this at the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Thursday, said economic transformation cannot be imported.
Represented by the commissioner for business, innovation and technology, Mrs. Patience Fakai, Governor Sani said economic transformation must be built from within.
He commended theme of this year’s Trade Fair: ‘From Reforms to Results: Economic Transformation Through Sustained Local Content Development’. “By empowering our farmers, supporting our manufacturers, digitizing our enterprises, and enabling our innovators. Kaduna State is strategically positioned as Northern Nigeria’s industrial”, he added.
The Governor said remodeling of the Panteka market, promoting agro-processing and value addition, expanding digital innovation hubs and tech eco-systems were part of the efforts. He included the procurement policies that prioritise local businesses and facilitate access to finance for MSMEs and start-ups, as part of his administration’s economic transformation.
According to him, innovation is the bridge between reform and tangible economic results, adding that Kaduna State is advancing digital skills development for youth and women.
The Governor said Kaduna State is not only open for business but ready for the future because it is building an ecosystem where creativity meets capital, where ideas become enterprises, and where innovation drives productivity.
He further said the Kaduna International Trade Fair remained one of the most important economic platforms in West Africa as it provides an opportunity to showcase indigenous products and services.
