Katsina Charts New Economic Path As Radda Deepens Global Investment Drive

Katsina State is taking bold steps to reposition its economy for long-term growth as Governor Dikko Umaru Radda intensifies diplomatic engagements abroad and prepares to host the inaugural #InvestKatsina Economic and Investment Summit.

The emerging strategy reflects a shift toward globally driven development centred on energy reforms, industrial expansion, and private-sector participation.

Scheduled for November 24–25, 2025, the summit is designed to redefine the state’s development priorities after years of insecurity, low productivity, and dwindling investor confidence.
Officials say the gathering will bring together policymakers, international development institutions, financial groups, and corporate executives to unveil a new investment framework and policy roadmap.

Speaking on the significance of the summit, Director-General of the Katsina Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Jikamshi, described the event as “a decisive step in transforming Katsina into an investment-friendly economy anchored on innovation, agriculture and industrial growth.”

He noted that despite Katsina’s demographic and agricultural strength, the state ranked 19th in Nigeria’s economic standings in 2022, a situation he said must change if the state is to reach its potential.

“We are building a new economic direction based on enterprise and modern governance. This summit is not just a gathering; it is where we reset the trajectory of our economy,” he said.

The strategic shift is unfolding alongside Governor Radda’s recent visit to Paris, where he participated in Ambition Africa 2025 at the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, the first Nigerian state leader to do so.

The governor held separate meetings with senior French officials and private-sector leaders as part of efforts to secure foreign partnerships that support Katsina’s economic plans.

He said Nigeria’s sub-national entities must move beyond dependency on federal structures and build direct international relationships. “States must engage globally. If we want to attract foreign investment, we must be ready to sit at international tables and negotiate in our own capacity”, he said
One key outcome of the Paris engagements is the revival of the Lambar Rimi Wind Farm. After years of inactivity, the facility is now being converted into a 20MW hybrid wind-solar power plant through a partnership with French wind technology company Vergnet and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

The project, expected to be commissioned in 2026, will supply electricity to industries, public institutions and communities across the state. Vergnet CEO, Jérôme Gacoin, confirmed that the company has already begun technical assessments.

“The hybrid model will ensure reliable power generation throughout the year and position Katsina as a leader in renewable energy,” he said.

Governor Radda described the project as central to the industrial ambitions of his administration. According to him, stable energy is the foundation of the state’s economic recovery plan.

“Without power, industry cannot thrive and investment cannot flow. This project is fundamental to our vision for a modern and competitive Katsina,” he said.

His Special Adviser on Power and Energy, Dr. Hafiz Ibrahim Ahmed, added that the hybrid approach will eliminate seasonal fluctuations.

“Wind and solar complement each other. What we are building is not just a power project but an energy solution that supports industrial clusters and agro-processing zones,” he said.

Government officials argue that the energy reforms, diplomatic engagements, and investment summit form a single strategy aimed at opening new economic corridors. However, questions remain over whether policy intentions will translate into sustained implementation.

Katsina still faces persistent security challenges in rural communities, high logistics costs, weak industrial infrastructure, and a business environment that has historically deterred major investors. Development analysts say the state must institutionalise reforms rather than depend solely on political momentum.
Jikamshi acknowledged these challenges but said the state is committed to long-term solutions.

“We understand the constraints, but we are not waiting for conditions to improve before we act. We are working to make Katsina secure, competitive and attractive to serious investors,” he said.
He added that the summit will produce commitments that are linked to enforceable frameworks rather than symbolic declarations.

“We are not hosting an event for publicity. We are building partnerships that will translate into jobs, industries and sustainable growth,” he said.

For now, Radda appears determined to break from a development model driven by federal dependence and donor projects.

Instead, Katsina is projecting itself as a sub-national player capable of negotiating international investment, reforming policies and driving industrial change from within.

Whether the strategy becomes a reference point in northern Nigeria’s economic transformation or fades into unfulfilled ambition will depend on the state’s discipline over the next few years.

Governor Radda insists that the moment is pivotal. “We are laying a foundation for a new Katsina one that is open to the world, driven by energy reform and anchored on productive enterprise,” he said.