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Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has been named Supply Chain and Local Content Governor of the Year at the National MSME Conference 2025 held in Lagos.
Commissioner for Business, Innovation & Technology of Kaduna State, Patience Fakai receiving the award on behalf of Gov. Uba Sani
The prestigious recognition, presented by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, celebrates Governor Sani’s far-reaching contributions to enterprise growth, local content development, and inclusive economic expansion across Kaduna State.
The award underscores the administration’s sweeping achievements in MSME empowerment and financing, programmes that continue to uplift thousands of residents while strengthening the state’s economic base.
Mrs. Patience Fakai: Kaduna State Commissioner for Business, Innovation & Technology
Representing the Governor at the conference, the Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology highlighted a series of strategic interventions and high-impact programmes driving Kaduna’s emergence as a national model for enterprise development. She outlined five key pillars:
1. Direct Financial Support and Economic Injection
Governor Sani’s administration has injected over ₦3 billion into the MSME sector through the A Kori Talauci and Livelihood Support programmes, with particular focus on women-owned businesses. These interventions have delivered:
- Increased productivity and deeper value-chain participation
- Expanded market access and improved enterprise resilience in agriculture, trade, and services
2. Robust Capacity Building and Enterprise Development
Human capital development remains central to Kaduna’s strategy. Major initiatives include:
- Training 5,000 beneficiaries under the KADSTEP Business Management & Development Initiative
- Empowering 2,000 nano and household-level entrepreneurs through the A Kori Talauci Access-to-Finance and Market Delivery Programme, improving access to microfinance, cooperatives, and structured markets
3. Tailored Women-Centred Economic Programmes
Kaduna State continues to champion gender-inclusive economic growth through:
- Women Business Clinics and a comprehensive Women’s Economic & Empowerment Policy
- A dedicated ₦5 billion funding provision to support women entrepreneurs
4. Strategic Investment in Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centres
To combat unemployment and meet modern labour demands, the state has constructed and equipped Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centres across the three senatorial zones. The centres offer training in 19 priority skills such as:
- Welding and fabrication
- Mechatronics and solar installation
- Fashion design
- ICT and digital skills
These centres are preparing thousands of young people for employment and entrepreneurship.
5. SMEDAN–KDSG Matching Funds Partnership
Kaduna State has fully met its obligation in the ₦1 billion SMEDAN–KDSG Matching Funds Scheme, ensuring easy access to soft loans for nano, micro, and small enterprises. This partnership continues to stimulate business growth, job creation, and economic productivity.
The award reaffirms Kaduna State’s deliberate and holistic approach to economic development—one anchored in targeted financial support, capacity building, gender-focused policies, and strategic partnerships aimed at creating a vibrant, competitive, and inclusive MSME ecosystem.
