Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced plans to establish the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) as a benchmark for business growth across the African continent. Speaking through Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal at a high-level retreat in Niger State, Radda emphasized that the state aims to transcend national boundaries to become a hub of institutional innovation.
Highlighting that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are vital for economic resilience, the Governor noted that these businesses are essential for job creation and poverty reduction. KASEDA has already gained national acclaim, receiving the title of Nigeria’s Best Sub-National SME Development Agency. The state also secured the top spot for an indigenous SME at the 2025 National MSME Awards.
A core component of this strategy is the KASEDA Road Corridor Enterprise Infrastructure Programme, which has mapped roadside businesses across all 34 local government areas. Radda urged KASEDA management to focus on tangible outcomes like improved access to finance and market expansion, rather than simple infrastructure quotas. KASEDA Director-General, Dr. Babangida Kabir Ruma, committed the agency to building a results-driven institution that offers entrepreneurs more than just training, emphasizing the need for technology, market access, and strategic advisory services.
During the event, Ahmed ‘Tunde Popoola, CEO of CRC Credit Bureau, argued that MSME support should be treated as critical economic infrastructure. Given that Katsina faces a poverty rate of roughly 72.7%, he urged the agency to shift from traditional grant-based support toward a Strategic Modern Model. This approach prioritizes ecosystem building, investment facilitation, and the integration of digital tools like AI-driven credit access and digital registries to foster sustainable economic transformation.
