Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna has unveiled plans for the state’s smart city initiative, which is projected to attract at least $150 million in foreign direct investments (FDI). During a recent meeting with Vice-President Kashim Shettima in Abuja, Sani highlighted the project’s appeal to private investors and its potential to significantly boost the local economy.
Key aspects of the announcement include:
- Job Creation: The smart city project is anticipated to generate approximately 100,000 direct jobs and up to 500,000 indirect jobs, addressing employment needs in the region.
- Partnership with Google: Kaduna’s collaboration with Google has resulted in the training of 5,000 women in digital economy skills. Governor Sani is hopeful that these trained women will play a key role in and benefit from the smart city development.
- Investment Attraction: Sani noted that Kaduna has already secured over $350 million in investments from Chinese companies within the past seven months. These investments focus on solid resources, infrastructure, and agriculture, indicating strong international confidence in the region.
- MoU with Huawei: On September 3, Kaduna signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited in Beijing. The agreement, which was observed by President Bola Tinubu and other high-ranking officials, aims to implement cutting-edge technological solutions to enhance security, efficiency, and transparency in public services. It will also develop smart healthcare, education systems, public transportation, and e-government services.
Governor Sani expressed strong confidence in the project’s success, underpinned by China’s technological expertise and a dedicated committee to oversee the MoU’s execution.
