Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has launched the Katsina State Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA), a strategic roadmap to align economic growth with environmental sustainability. As part of the agenda, the state will establish a ₦5 billion Green Investment Fund to fast-track the implementation of climate-resilient infrastructure and projects.
The announcement was made during the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday. The event was attended by government officials, investors, development partners, and stakeholders in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors.
Governor Radda described KAGGA as a “milestone” in the state’s journey towards ecological preservation and inclusive development. He outlined several key commitments, including:
Electrification of 500 rural communities using solar mini-grids by 2030, targeting the 60% of the rural population currently lacking electricity.
Scaling up of climate-smart agriculture, such as drip irrigation, drought-resistant crop varieties, and agroforestry, to protect farmers from climate shocks.
Development of Katsina’s first industrial solar park in collaboration with private investors to power green industries and create jobs.
“We have already secured $500 million from Genesis Energy Group for renewable energy investments. This demonstrates our readiness and capacity to manage transformative projects effectively,” the governor said.
Governor Radda also announced that the state will pass climate-related legislation within the next 12 months to institutionalize climate accountability. In addition:
30% of Katsina’s annual budget will be earmarked for climate-resilient infrastructure.
The ₦5 billion Green Investment Fund will serve to de-risk climate projects and attract additional private capital.
A one-stop investment facilitation center is being established to streamline regulations and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Tax incentives will be offered to green businesses, making investments more attractive and profitable.
He urged development partners like the World Bank and United Nations to align their funding efforts with the KAGGA strategy, stressing that the initiative is rooted in local knowledge and community resilience.
In his remarks, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malick Fall, praised the Katsina initiative but called for even bolder action at the sub-national level. He noted that:
“Countries with clear climate strategies are attracting capital, technology, and innovation. Nigeria can lead Africa’s clean energy future—protecting ecosystems in the South, strengthening agriculture in the North, and creating jobs across the country.”
Fall added that donor priorities are shifting, and innovative models in the green economy are essential to future progress.
The UN has endorsed Katsina’s green investment strategy, highlighting it as a potential model for other Nigerian states and African nations.
From 2015 to 2021, Nigeria received over $4.9 billion in funding for 828 climate-related projects, according to a report by Connected Development (CODE) in partnership with INKA Consult and Oxfam International. The launch of KAGGA is expected to position Katsina as a leader in green industrialization, climate finance, and sustainable development in Nigeria.