Kebbi State Government has revealed that at least 22 potential investors have shown interest in investing in key sectors of the state economy, especially agriculture and energy, as part of efforts to accelerate economic growth and job creation.
The Director-General of Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Mohammed Kabir Kamba, made this known on Wednesday during a high-level stakeholder engagement with private sector operators, investors and development partners held in Abuja ahead of the state’s investment summit.
Kamba said the engagement was designed to align ongoing policy reform discussions with investment promotion and partnership-building, noting that this approach strengthens Kebbi State’s commitment to a predictable, transparent and competitive business environment.
According to him, significant investment commitments have already been recorded, especially in the agriculture and energy sectors, adding that the state is confident of reaching financial closure of many projects by February 11 next year.
“We are pleased that investors have made significant commitments to invest in KB State, especially in the energy and agriculture sectors. This is a pre-summit to engage with them and ensure that we reach financial closure by February 11,” he said.
Addressing security concerns, the KIPA boss said insecurity, which he described as a national challenge, has not deterred serious investors from doing business in the state. He said some of West Africa's largest companies are already operating successfully in Kebbi.
“Our main selling point is our regulatory environment. We have a strong regulatory environment, policy and framework. And we have a team that has high caliber to manage investments in KB State.
“KB is a gold mine. Yes, there are security challenges, but they are not enough to stop our economic prosperity,” Kamba said.
He assured investors of a favorable and well-organized business environment.
He said the key selling point of the state remains its strong regulatory framework and institutional capacity to manage investments effectively.
Also speaking, Lawrence Osakue, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Charlotte Energy Limited, said the company plans to deploy mini-grid solutions in communities across the state to provide affordable and sustainable energy. He said the relative peace in Kebbi was a major attraction for investment.
Osakyu revealed that the company is awaiting approval to access the VEDA site, which will enable it to conduct energy audits, community profiling and assess potential industrial centres.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of FusedVision Limited, Michael Oladeji, said the company will focus on solar power solutions to support both the energy and agriculture sectors. He described KB as a land of opportunity with immense potential for infrastructure development.
Oladeji said, “Where there is power, there is investment. We see Kebbi State as a land of opportunity, especially in energy, agriculture and infrastructure.”
Responding to questions from journalists, KIPA Board Member Ali Abbas Usman revealed that the state is in discussions with a group of foreign investors to establish a gold refinery in the Sokoto-Kebbi Basin.
He said the proposed refinery would serve as a regional hub for gold sourced from Nigeria and neighboring West African countries.
According to him, Dubai investors have expressed interest in refining gold from Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali within the Sokoto-Kebbi basin, adding that the move will boost employment and economic activity in the region.
Usman said increased investment in the state would help tackle unemployment and poverty as well as address security challenges that often fuel social unrest.
“Investing in Kebbi is one of the most effective ways to neutralize banditry and lawlessness, as many of these issues are driven by hunger and unemployment,” he said.
