By Zubairu Idris
Foreign and domestic investors participating in the ongoing Katsina Economic and Investment Summit, 2025, have pledged investment of about N489.4 billion into the state’s economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit is: “Building the future of Katsina’s economy”.
Some of the investors who made the commitment in their separate goodwill messages included Dar Alhalal; CONSTRIX and Estate; Darma Rice Mill and Gobarau Agro Allied Companies.
Others are Equatorial Marine Oil and Gas Company Limited (EMOG), Boko Fertilizer Nigeria Limited, among others.
NAN also reports that two business moguls from the state, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab and Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, also participated in the summit.
Declaring the summit open on Monday, Gov. Radda reaffirmed Katsina’s rising profile as one of Nigeria’s fastest-emerging investment destinations.
The governor further revealed that recent study indicated that Katsina has high deposit of gold more than any part of the country.
According to him, the state now presents a secured, transparent, innovation-driven, and politically supported environment for sustainable growth.
Radda said that the state had put in place wide range institutional and administrative reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business.
He reaffirmed that Katsina has long been a centre of scholarship, trade, and intellectual excellence—home to distinguished figures in politics, business, academia, and Islamic scholarship.
The governor, therefore, reiterated the administration’s commitment to preserving and elevating those legacies.
“We are building an economy that empowers young people, supports women-led enterprises, strengthens families, and restores dignity.
“My message to investors is simple. We have created a fertile and secure ground for your investments. Katsina is ready for you,” Radda said.
In a keynote address, Sen. Ibrahim Ida, said the state was endowed with abandoned natural resources, including fertile agriculture lands, livestock, solid minerals and renewable energy, among others.
He added that the state was positioned along the border with Niger Republic, that presents tremendous opportunities to tap into wider markets and benefit from regional partnerships.
Sen. Ida said that the state has demographic dividends by having large youthful population both with a vibrant consumer markets and a substantial labour force.
Earlier, the Director-General, Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur-Jikamshi, described the summit as “a defining moment” in Katsina’s journey toward competitiveness, transformation, and private-sector driven growth.(NAN) www.nannews.ng