KANO, NIGERIA – The Chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Ahmed Munir, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening the country’s export capacity following a two-day working visit to the Kano Free Trade Zone and other industrial complexes. The unannounced visit aimed to assess operations, service delivery, and the zone’s contribution to Nigeria’s industrialisation and export promotion agenda.
Mr. Munir, who is from the Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State stated that the inspection provided firsthand insights into the facility’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities, alongside interactions with key industrial stakeholders. Established in 1992 under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Act, the Kano Free Trade Zone was designed to boost manufacturing, agro-processing, and export-driven industries in northern Nigeria.
During his visit, Mr. Munir was received by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, at the Government House. Discussions focused on attracting foreign direct investment in power, mining, and agriculture, with an emphasis on value addition and job creation. Mr. Munir stressed the need for closer collaboration between the Federal and State Governments to enhance Kano’s competitiveness in regional and continental trade, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The House Committee Chairman also used his tour to raise awareness among manufacturers and exporters about new trade and export-friendly policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in collaboration with the National Assembly. These policies include tax incentives, low-interest export financing, and trade facilitation measures aimed at making Nigerian products more competitive internationally.
Mr. Munir recommended a comprehensive revitalisation of the Kano Free Trade Zone to reposition it as a leading driver of Nigeria’s export diversification. His recommendations included urgent investment in independent power generation, rehabilitation of internal roads, establishing a reliable rail system, bringing the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline online, enhancing warehousing facilities, and ensuring sustained policy consistency to restore investor confidence. He also called for public-private partnerships to attract modern technology and capital inflow, asserting that Kano’s historical advantage as a commercial hub should be fully harnessed.
“Kano has the location, history, and manpower to lead Nigeria’s export diversification agenda,” Mr. Munir stated. “With the right investments and reforms, this zone can reclaim its position as a major gateway for West African trade.” He assured that the National Assembly would continue to provide legislative backing for policies that encourage industrial growth and expand the country’s non-oil revenue base.
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