In a landmark economic diplomacy move, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has opened talks with the Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) to position the state as a major player in the multi-trillion-dollar global halal meat industry.
During a high-level meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Governor Radda presented a strategic plan to develop a halal meat production and export value chain in Katsina. The aim is to tap into markets across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The discussions, attended by the governor’s delegation, including Dr. Hafiz Ibrahim, special adviser on power and energy, and Haruna Abbagana, the lead consultant to the state government, involved Genesis Energy, a development partner tasked with deploying cold storage infrastructure crucial for meat preservation and logistics.
Governor Radda said the initiative would go beyond boosting exports, creating jobs, empowering farmers, and increasing foreign exchange earnings.
“We are not waiting for development to find us; we are negotiating it, investing in it, and exporting it. Our farmers, youth, and producers are ready for the world,” he declared.
Under the proposed collaboration, Saudi EXIM Bank would finance halal-certified abattoirs and processing plants in Katsina, provide export credit facilities, and offer technical support to meet international halal compliance standards.
The state government would create enabling policies and regulatory frameworks, while Genesis Energy would handle logistics and storage infrastructure.
Governor Radda noted that the partnership aligns with both Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Katsina’s strategy to transition from a consumption-based economy to one driven by industrialisation, trade, and global competitiveness.
The talks are part of the governor’s broader push to diversify Katsina’s economy through strategic international partnerships, marking another step in his commitment to make the state a hub for innovation, enterprise, and sustainable growth.
