KANO — The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening investment and development cooperation with Kano State, highlighting the state’s vast potential in agriculture, renewable energy, innovation, digitalisation, health, and education.
During an official visit to the state, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, noted that Kano has historically been a strong partner in the EU’s developmental efforts in Nigeria. He stated that under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, the bloc, working in collaboration with its member states, the European Investment Bank (EIB), development finance institutions, and private sector actors, aims to scale up investments that are crucial to fostering sustainable economic growth in partner countries like Nigeria.
“In Kano, we already have a legacy of cooperation,” Ambassador Mignot remarked during his courtesy visit to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. “From renewable energy projects in public schools and primary health centres to support for smallholder farmers and manufacturers in the leather and garment sectors, the EU’s presence in Kano has been visible and impactful.”
Mignot was accompanied by representatives from key implementing partners, including the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). He emphasized that the EU sees Kano not only as a hub for the Northwest but also as a strategic entry point for development in the broader Sahel region.
According to him, “Kano is well-positioned to benefit from our agenda focused on green and digital transformation. We are exploring deeper partnerships in areas like renewable energy, agriculture, digital infrastructure, and innovation—sectors that can unlock job opportunities, particularly for youth and women.”
The ambassador stressed that beyond reviewing ongoing and past projects, the EU delegation’s mission was also to listen and understand the developmental priorities of the Kano State Government. “Our visit is not just symbolic. It’s about reconnecting with partners, assessing what has worked, and launching new initiatives that align with both the EU’s strategy and the needs of the people,” he added.
He also said the EU is prepared to deploy a mix of financial tools, including grants, loans, and guarantees, to catalyse investment and scale up impact, especially by working closely with the private sector to create sustainable jobs.
Receiving the delegation at the Government House in Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf expressed appreciation for the EU’s longstanding support and described Kano as ready for deeper collaboration in critical areas that drive sustainable development.
“Being Nigeria’s most populous state and the nation’s commercial nerve centre, Kano welcomes this renewed engagement from the EU,” the governor said. “We are particularly pleased that the broader celebration of Europe Month was brought to Kano, through lectures, meetings with stakeholders, and strategic discussions across sectors like agriculture, rural development, energy, and digital economy.”
Governor Yusuf acknowledged the EU’s support so far but also called for an expansion of such partnerships, noting that the needs of the state remain substantial due to its population and economic size.
“Your contribution to our development efforts is appreciated, but we are appealing for more. We hope this visit will lead to new understandings and mutually beneficial projects,” he said.
The governor also highlighted Kano’s own contributions to human capital development, especially through foreign education sponsorships. “We sent 1,100 students abroad on scholarships, out of which 680 have returned with first-class degrees, particularly in critical sectors like medicine, engineering, and pharmacy. These graduates have been absorbed into the state’s civil service to contribute to Kano’s development,” he stated.
With its mix of tradition, commerce, and a young population hungry for opportunities, Kano State is positioning itself as a critical player in Nigeria’s development agenda, and the European Union appears ready to partner even more robustly in that journey.
