By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Kebbi State has set its sights on a major investment expansion following the unveiling of a series of economic reforms and strategic initiatives designed to position the state as a leading investment destination in Nigeria and a gateway to the West African market.

The Director General of the Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency, KIPA, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Kamba, disclosed this during an Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to highlight key achievements recorded under the administration of Governor Nasir Idris over the past three years.

A statement by Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser, SA, on Media and Publicity to the Governor, said the briefing was held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Information and Culture within the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ultra-Modern Secretariat Complex, Gwadangaji.
According to the statement, the briefing brought together senior government officials, including the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki; Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation, Ibrahim Jombali; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Salihu Alkasim Gunabi; and Chief Press Secretary, Ahmad Idris.

Dr. Kamba said the reforms introduced by the Idris administration were anchored on transparency, accountability, improved service delivery, and the creation of an investor-friendly environment through wide-ranging policy and institutional changes implemented across government agencies.

He explained that the administration had introduced key Executive Orders aimed at strengthening governance and improving the ease of doing business. These include the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture, FRILIA, measures to enhance transparency and efficiency in public service delivery, the establishment of a grievance redress mechanism for trade-related matters, and a Right-of-Way waiver for optic fibre deployment to support digital infrastructure expansion.

According to him, KIPA has also developed a strengthened investment regulatory ecosystem, including the establishment of a functional Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit to coordinate project planning and implementation across ministries and the 21 local government areas of the state.

He further disclosed that Governor Nasir Idris approved the creation of the Kebbi State Project Facilitation Fund (PFF) to support early-stage project preparation and improve the bankability of investment opportunities.
He noted that operational frameworks, manuals, and financial guidelines for the Fund have been completed, with budgetary provisions already captured in the 2026 approved state budget.

Dr. Kamba added that the agency has developed a pipeline of viable projects in hospitality, agriculture, transport, logistics, manufacturing, and renewable energy, while also institutionalising quarterly investor forums and introducing investor aftercare and retention mechanisms to sustain investor confidence.

He said KIPA had also digitalised procedures for permits and approvals to simplify business processes and reduce bottlenecks for investors.

Highlighting recent achievements, Dr. Kamba noted that the agency has strengthened partnerships with national and international institutions and successfully hosted the maiden Kebbi Investors Forum 2026, which attracted investment commitments worth approximately $4.10 billion across key sectors, including mining, renewable energy, manufacturing, agribusiness, transport, and logistics.

He expressed optimism that ongoing reforms under Governor Idris would further strengthen investor confidence, improve transparency, and enhance economic competitiveness, adding that Kebbi State is laying a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth and prosperity for future generations.