…Targets hospitality upgrade as foreign investors signal interest

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Kebbi State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA) has begun preparations ahead of the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, with plans to upgrade hospitality facilities in anticipation of an influx of foreign investors.

The Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the Kebbi State Governor, Abdullahi Idris Sadaukin Zuru, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, quoting the Director-General of KIPA, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Kamba.

According to the statement, the Agency has lined up a series of engagements with critical stakeholders to ensure the state derives maximum economic benefits from the globally acclaimed festival.

Dr. Kamba revealed that foreign investors from Europe and Asia have already expressed interest in attending the festival, following Governor Nasir Idris’s recent official visits to some of the countries where he personally invited investors to Kebbi State to assess its abundant natural resources and explore partnership opportunities.

“In line with the governor’s directive, the Agency is liaising with relevant stakeholders to ensure a befitting reception for both local and foreign investors,” Kamba said.

He explained that KIPA, working with the Argungu Fishing Festival organising committee, would soon meet with hotel owners and other key players in the hospitality industry to address the renovation of dilapidated structures and the upgrading of existing facilities to meet acceptable standards.

The Director-General also disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to showcase Kebbi State’s vast agricultural produce, livestock resources and solid minerals to prospective investors during the festival.

He added that a consultative forum would be organised to bring together investors, strategic government institutions and the organised indigenous business community to discuss partnership frameworks and the establishment of viable business ventures in the state.

Dr. Kamba, however, noted that the primary objective of the visiting investors is to verify the quality, availability and commercial viability of raw materials in Kebbi State.

The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, which was suspended for several years before being revived by Governor Nasir Idris, is expected to be one of its most successful editions yet, following the introduction of additional economic empowerment initiatives aimed at job creation and wealth generation.

The statement further noted that Governor Idris’s commitment to improving the socio-economic wellbeing of the state is underscored by his assent to a law authorising the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for residential, commercial and industrial plots across Kebbi State.

Meanwhile, the festival’s organising committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, is said to be working round the clock to ensure a smooth and hitch-free event scheduled to hold from February 11 to 14, 2026.