Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has launched the Katsina State Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA), a roadmap that will establish a N5 billion investment fund to aid the implementation of climate infrastructure projects across the state.
Speaking at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja while addressing his people at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit, Governor Dikko revealed that the agenda marks a major milestone in Kaduna’s development journey.
According to him, the roadmap will help to unify economic progress with ecological preservation and harness the state’s potential to become Nigeria’s solar heavyweight. He confirmed plans for KAGGA to work on drip irrigation, drought-resistant crop varieties, and agroforestry to safeguard farmers against the risks that come with unexpected climate conditions.
“We plan to electrify 500 rural communities with solar mini-grids by 2030, bridging the energy access gap that currently affects 60% of our rural population,” he said.
Dikko announced that his government is also collaborating with several investors to build the state’s first industrial solar park, which will go a long way in creating employment opportunities and boosting green industries.
Proving that his administration is serious about getting investments, the Governor disclosed that Kaduna State recently received $500 million from Genesis Energy Group for renewable energy.
On climate issues, he maintained that the plan to enact the Katsina Climate-Related Laws before 2027 is still ongoing, and the aim hasn’t shifted from delivering a stable policy for green Investments.
“Secondly, we will allocate 30% of our annual budget to climate-resilient infrastructure and establish a Green Investment Fund to de-risk projects and accelerate implementation, with an initial capitalization of N5 billion and mechanisms to leverage additional private capital,” Dikko said.
He concluded by urging private investors to take full advantage of Katsina’s undisputed opportunities in solar energy, profitable agriculture, and green industrialisation.
“We are streamlining regulations and offering incentives to make your investments secure and profitable. Our new one-stop investment facilitation center will reduce bureaucratic hurdles, while our tax incentives for green businesses ensure competitive returns,” he added.
