Gautier Mignot, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, on Tuesday commended Kano’s significant investment and entrepreneurship potential.
Specifically, he highlighted promising sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, innovation and digitalization, health, and education.
These identified sectors align perfectly with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.
This initiative brings together EU Member States, the European Investment Bank, and other EU development finance institutions, alongside the private sector, to channel crucial investments into partner countries like Nigeria, fostering their social and economic development.
He said: “In Kano, this partnership already has a notable history, with investments in renewable energy for secondary schools and primary health facilities, support for small holder farmers and manufacturers in the leather and garment sectors, and digital innovation.
“Moving forward, the outlook is equally promising, with partnerships in the energy, digital, and agricultural sectors expected to create jobs and opportunities, particularly for young people and women in the state.”
Mignot made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, accompanied by implementing partners including Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, among others.
“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.
“Kano State is really a development platform not only for the Northwest but the Sahel region. 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. 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 federal and state governments,” he said.
Speaking further on the importance of the delegation’s visit, 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.
“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.”
welcoming them, Gov. Yusuf said Kano, being the most populated state and centre of commerce in the country, is ready to collaborate on sustainable development projects.
He appreciated the EU for choosing the state for a broader celebration of Europe Month through a lecture and meetings with stakeholders.
He said: “Kano is happy to receive the EU Delegation. Congratulations to the EU on the celebration of the Europe Day on May 9.
“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.
“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 potential for further collaboration.
“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 mutual cooperation and understanding.
“More is equally done by Kano itself. We broadened the knowledge of our students by sponsoring 1,100 scholarships abroad. Out of 1,100 students, 680 have returned so far as first-class graduates to give back to the state.
“Out of 680, many graduated from medicine, pharmacy and engineering. The state government gave them automatic employment in the state.”
The governor also referenced the recent ‘Study Fair’ organised by the EU in Kano, which offered scholarships to students across Nigeria funded by the EU.
“Regarding scholarships, I would like to assure you that we will approach you to secure more admissions for our students in Europe.”
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