Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, initiated the creation of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) to foster a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs and tackle longstanding obstacles hindering the advancement of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the State.
Now two years into its operation, KASEDA, led by its inaugural Director General, Aisha Aminu, has become a pivotal force driving economic expansion, employment generation, and entrepreneurial empowerment throughout Katsina. This progress stems from strategic collaborations, innovative financing approaches, and comprehensive capacity-building initiatives.
A landmark accomplishment includes the launch of a ₦3.4 billion MSME Fund, administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI). This fund facilitates access to interest-free loans through BOI and Sterling Bank, empowering thousands of entrepreneurs with vital capital to scale their businesses and stimulate the State’s economic growth.
Moreover, the KASEDA/KT-CARES Programme has extended operational support grants to 8,057 business proprietors, injecting crucial funds to sustain and expand their ventures.
In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), KASEDA also established a ₦542 million Victims Support Matching Livelihood Fund aimed at revitalizing livelihoods in local government areas severely impacted by security issues.
To ensure targeted and effective interventions, KASEDA conducted an extensive MSME census across the State, identifying over 600,000 enterprises. Additionally, the agency mapped upwards of 50,000 business clusters and roadside markets to pinpoint specific developmental needs.
Further strengthening infrastructure, KASEDA inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SMEDAN to optimize the Industrial Development Centre located at Sabuwar Unguwa-Tudun Matawalle in Katsina city. This facility offers advanced equipment for tailoring, printing, and packaging, serving as a shared resource for businesses in textiles, fashion, leatherwork, and agribusiness sectors.
Empowering youth and enhancing skill sets remain central to KASEDA’s mission. The agency has invested significantly in training programs and workshops designed to elevate entrepreneurial capabilities across the State, including its own workforce.
Among these efforts is the training of 3,000 young mechatronics apprentices in collaboration with the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) through the Mechanic Apprentice Support Programme (MASP), alongside the Entrepreneurship Mindset Reset Workshop aimed at reshaping business perspectives.
In alliance with the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, KASEDA is currently engaged in a year-long initiative to train 10,000 women across all 34 Local Government Areas, enhancing their entrepreneurial skills and economic participation.
Additionally, 217 graduates from the Employability Project received computer tablets to boost their digital literacy and e-commerce proficiency, equipping them for the modern business landscape.
Through the “Building Your Future” Youth Development and Empowerment Programme, over 1,000 young entrepreneurs were granted a total of ₦250 million in startup capital, fostering new business ventures.
KASEDA has also secured 5,000 digital skills training slots from Wema Bank (pending commencement) and distributed 234 laptops, POS devices, mobile phones, solar inverters, and Wi-Fi routers to youth beneficiaries under the KT-CARES IT Enhancement Support Grant within the RA-3 Programme.
Furthermore, the agency has facilitated the training of 850 women and youth in diverse business skills through partnerships with NGOs and cooperatives such as KUYECO (Amalgamated).
Innovative institutions like the Dikko Social Innovation Academy and the KASEDA Digital Academy have been inaugurated to serve as hubs for digital skill acquisition, innovation, and entrepreneurial growth throughout the State.
In a pioneering move to ensure sustainable MSME development, KASEDA formulated and launched the State’s first MSME Policy and Roadmap, making Katsina the first Nigerian State to domesticate the National MSME Policy.
Strategic agreements have also been signed with the Rural Electrification Agency to promote renewable energy solutions for entrepreneurs, and with Tap Nigerians in Diaspora Funding to channel diaspora investments into local MSMEs.
To cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, KASEDA hosts the Annual MSME Day Celebration, featuring business clinics and awarding ₦10 million in grants to outstanding entrepreneurs.
Workshops like the Entrepreneurship Mindset Reset, which has trained 500 women and youth, underscore KASEDA’s dedication to fostering resilient and innovative business mindsets.
The ongoing collaboration with NATA under the second phase of the Mechanic Apprentice Support Programme continues to equip young people with practical technical skills and promising career opportunities.
Through these comprehensive initiatives, KASEDA exemplifies how local enterprise development can revitalize communities and redefine the economic trajectory of Katsina State and Nigeria at large.
The agency’s strategic integration of financial access, skill enhancement, policy formulation, and innovative partnerships highlights its unwavering commitment to building a robust MSME ecosystem that guarantees prosperity and sustainable livelihoods for all.
– Hauwa Ibrahim Jikamshi
Head, Public Relations Unit
Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA)
