By HUSSAINA YAKUBU

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, says plans have been intensified to position the state as the industrial hub of Northern Nigeria by supporting local manufacturing clusters, digitalising enterprises and supporting innovators.

The Governor disclosed this at the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Thursday, in Kaduna.

According to him, economic transformation cannot be imported.

Represented by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Mrs Patience Fakai, Sani argued that economic transformation must be built from within.

He described the theme of this year’s fair, which is: ‘From Reforms to Results; Economic Transformation Through Sustained Local Content Development’, as apt.

“By empowering our farmers, supporting our manufacturers, digitizing our enterprises and enabling our innovators, Kaduna State will be strategically positioned as Northern Nigeria’s industrial,’’ he added.

According to him, remodeling of the Panteka market, promoting agro-processing and value addition, expanding digital innovation hubs and tech ecosystems, are part of the efforts.

He further mentioned the procurement policies that prioritised local businesses and facilitated access to finance for MSMEs and startups, as part of his administration’s economic transformation.

Explaining what local content development meant, he argued that it was to ensure that Kaduna talent, resources, and enterprises were central to the state’s growth story.

According to him, innovation is the bridge between reform and tangible economic results, adding that Kaduna was advancing digital skills development for youth and women.

Sami added that the state was not only open for businesses, but also ready for the future because it was building an ecosystem where creativity met capital, where ideas became enterprises and where innovation drove productivity.

He further stated that the Kaduna international trade fair remained one of the most important economic platforms in West Africa as it provided an opportunity to showcase indigenous products and services.

The governor also said that the fair also strengthened trade relationships, attracted domestic and foreign investment and promoted inter-state and regional collaboration.

He, then, called on investors to partner with the state government, at it encouraged entrepreneurs to expand boldly.

“We challenge our youth to innovate relentlessly and we want to assure development partners that Kaduna remains a credible and reliable partner.

‘’Our local content strategy ensures that growth is not concentrated in a few sectors, but spreads across agriculture, manufacturing, services, creative industries and digital technology.

‘’When local businesses thrive, communities prosper. When innovation expands, opportunities multiply; when partnerships deepen, transformation accelerates,’’ he stated. (NAN)