EU Envoy Applauds Kano’s Investment Potential
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, visited Kano State and met with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to discuss areas of potential collaboration.
Mignot pointed to sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, innovation, digitalisation, health, and education as areas for possible engagement.
“Kano State is really a development platform not only for the Northwest but the Sahel region,” Mignot said. “We see great potential and many opportunities in Kano State. So, we want to partner in trade and investment. This is in line with our Global Gateway Strategy, working with our member states, that is, Team Europe, and the European Investment Bank.”
The EU ambassador was joined by representatives from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
“We have an agenda focusing on the green and digital economy, to see how we can partner and increase our presence in the Northwest and Northeast of the country, and to address specific challenges in the region,” he said.
Mignot added, “We also try to mobilise a full range of our funding instruments like grants, loans, guarantees, and others. We want to partner in line with the country’s priorities at the federal and state governments.”
He also spoke about the purpose of the visit. “During our visit, we want to review past projects to see how they are doing several years after their commissioning. We are also reviewing ongoing projects in the digital sector. We want to launch new projects. It is also very important to hear the vision, ideas, suggestions, and needs of the state from the governor,” he said.
“We try to leverage more investments and work more closely with the private sector to accelerate investments, with the end purpose to create more jobs and opportunities for young people and women.”
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf acknowledged the EU delegation and responded to the discussion.
“Kano is happy to receive the EU Delegation. Congratulations to the EU on celebrating Europe Day on 9 May,” the governor said. “We also want to thank the EU for choosing Kano for a broader celebration through lectures, meetings with business communities, government officials, stakeholders, and experts on sectors such as energy, agriculture, rural development, investment, digital economy, and others.”
He noted the state’s challenges.
“Kano, being the most populated state in Nigeria and the centre of commerce, we need more cooperation and collaboration with the EU. We are particularly keen to engage in discussions and explore the potential for further collaboration,” he stated.
“We recognise the efforts of the EU in bringing many developments to the state. We, however, appeal for more. We are grateful for the EU contribution, but Kano State needs more. We believe that with your interaction with key stakeholders in the state, we can have a common ground of cooperation and understanding,” he said.
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