EU Lauds Kano as Strategic Hub for Investment and Development in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) has acknowledged Kano State as a promising destination for investment and entrepreneurship, with potential spanning sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, digital innovation, healthcare, and education. EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made these remarks during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, underscoring Kano’s strategic value for local and international partnerships.

Ambassador Mignot highlighted the EU’s focus on fostering a green and digital economy, expressing strong interest in establishing deeper collaboration in Nigeria’s North-West and North-East regions. He noted that these partnerships would be particularly geared toward addressing regional challenges, creating job opportunities, and supporting the youth and women in the area.

Describing Kano as a development platform for the broader Sahel region, Mignot emphasized the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy. This strategy aims to boost trade and investment through a unified approach with Team Europe and the European Investment Bank, deploying diverse financial tools such as grants, loans, and guarantees to support impactful projects.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf welcomed the EU’s recognition and reaffirmed Kano’s readiness to collaborate on sustainable development initiatives. He reiterated that as Nigeria’s most populous state and commercial epicenter, Kano is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in economic and social development across the region.

The visit also coincided with the EU’s broader celebration of Europe Month in Kano, marked by a public lecture and meetings with local stakeholders. The event reinforced mutual interests in deepening ties between Kano and the EU, setting the stage for long-term partnerships aimed at fostering inclusive growth and innovation.

Source: The Guardian