TheCable

The Kaduna government says it attracted over $900 million worth of actualised investments since 2021.

Khalil Nur Khalil, executive secretary, Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA), said this at a press briefing on Wednesday, ahead of the 7th edition of Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (Kadinvest 7.0).

Khali said the event is an important platform in Kaduna state’s investment drive.

He also said the state attracted $4.3 billion in six years from actual investments and pledges.

Khalil said the Kadinvest 7.0 scheduled to hold October 13 to October 15, 2022, with the theme ‘’Building a Resilient Economy,’’ will be attended by several domestic and foreign companies.

He further said the successful wooing of the private sector has continued even in the face of challenges like a national slowdown in economic activities, the impact of COVID-19 and serious security challenges in parts of the state.

He added that the state had attracted many notable companies since 2016, including Olam Feed and Hatchery Mill, Mahindra Tractors Assembly Plant, OCP Fertiliser and Dangote Peugeot Automobiles.

Others are African Natural Resources and Mines Limited and Tomato Jos, an agro-processing company which produces high-quality tomato paste, as some of the companies that KADIPA has attracted to the state.

“Even with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the world, with economic activities slowing down considerably, Kaduna state has since 2021 managed to attract over $900 million worth of actualised investments,” he said.

“The investments are both Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), like Zipline, a company delivering medical supplies to hard-to-reach places using drones.

“The Kadinvest 7.0 will run for three days and will be highly interactive, consisting of a pre-summit event and main summit with presentations that will highlight Kaduna state’s progress in line with the theme.

“The pre-summit will be the Kaduna Business Expo, which will hold on October 13 at the Kaduna Centenary Park, promises to be an immersive experience.

‘”The expo will cover the technology, agriculture, infrastructure and the solid minerals sector. Part of the objectives of the expo is to get young people invested in agriculture, market the opportunities in the Kaduna solid mineral sector, and to understand policy initiatives to promote technology as part of the Kaduna State Development Plan (2021 – 2025).”

Khalil further said after the business expo, on October 14, 2022, the governor of the state will commission several projects across the state to set the mood for the summit. Amongst the notable speakers expected include Muhammad Sanusi II, amongst others.