Kano State Partners Tony Blair Institute to Unlock $23.5 Million Investment in Energy Sector
Kano State has partnered with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to attract $23.5 million in investments and create wealth in the energy sector. This collaboration is part of the Governor’s Initiative to Energize the Economy of Kano State (GEEKS) program, aimed at reforming energy supply and energizing industrialization and core sectors of the economy.
The GEEKS program focuses on strategic objectives, including strategic planning for state electricity market development and universal access, intensifying use of electricity for commercial and industrial activities, and mapping the state in electricity demand lots based on demography. Additionally, the program aims to create electrification pathways to drive universal access to electricity in a sustainable manner.
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The initiative will also enable the state to transition its transportation sector from conventional fuels to electric-powered vehicles. This will start with the conversion of existing 2-3 wheelers to e-Vehicles, achieved through local assembly and manufacturing activities. Notably, the 3-wheeler market currently grosses over N1 trillion annually.
The GEEKS program is expected to have significant economic benefits and employment opportunities. According to the Tony Blair Institute, the program is targeted to attract millions of dollars in investment, create over 1 million jobs within 3 years, and increase agricultural production by 35%. Furthermore, with energized Primary Health Care centers, mortality rates are expected to drop significantly.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed his commitment to leveraging the partnership between the Tony Blair Institute and the Kano State government to build growth and development in the state. The administration plans to utilize internal state resources, concessional financing, and technical assistance to catalyze robust private sector investments.
The partnership is facilitated by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Renewable Energy, Engineer Abduljabbar Muhammad Nanono. With the GEEKS program, Kano State is poised to unlock its economic potential and become a hub for industrial growth and development in Nigeria.
