By Abdullahi Jalalludeen
Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno says the state has moved from recovery to sustainability and is seeking investors to explore its vast economic potentials.
Zulum stated this at the opening ceremony of the Borno State Private Sector Engagement and Investment Roundtable held in Kano.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha , said the engagement was aimed at showcasing Borno’s recovery from insurgency and its readiness for sustainable economic development. He urged investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, renewable energy, manufacturing and other sectors.
According to him, Borno’s strategic location, bordering Cameroon, Chad and Niger, offers access to regional markets across neighbouring countries. He said more than 80 per cent of the state’s population was engaged in agriculture, providing opportunities for investment in farming, livestock, fisheries and solar energy.
Zulum said investors could establish production and processing industries in the state to serve markets in neighbouring states and countries. He noted that the government was investing in human capital development to provide skilled manpower for businesses, while urging investors to visit Borno and assess improvements in security.
The governor said the investment engagement had earlier been held in Lagos and would proceed to Abuja as part of efforts to attract private sector participation in the state’s economic transformation.
In her remarks, Dr. Mairo Mandara, Chief Adviser to the Governor and Coordinator of Sustainable Development Partnerships and Humanitarian Response, identified agriculture, livestock, energy, housing, hospitality and services as major investment opportunities in the state.
She said Borno had the potential to become a major producer of beans and other agricultural commodities, with livestock facilities, including a large insemination centre.
Mandara said the state’s electricity supply, population of more than seven million and access to a Lake Chad regional market of over 50 million people provided a strong foundation for investment. She also highlighted the approved Africa Freight Trade Zone in Banki, the dry port and opportunities for livestock exports, particularly to Arab countries.
She stressed that the government was prioritising value addition and local processing rather than the export of raw materials.
Mandara added that Borno’s 25-year Recovery and Development Plan had guided its budgeting process for the past five years and was being translated into law to ensure policy continuity and protect investments, expressing optimism that the state would regain its position as a major commercial hub in the Lake Chad region.
The Roundtable meeting attracted investors from Kano and other neighbouring states .
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