Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Wednesday commissioned the newly established Katsina Trade Facilitation Centre, describing it as a milestone that positions the State as an emerging hub for national and international commerce.
The event, held at the Centre in Katsina, marks the launch of the second Trade Facilitation Centre in Nigeria and the first sub-national one backed by legislation. Governor Radda said the initiative aligns Katsina with global trade standards and opens new pathways for investment, export growth, and market integration.
Radda said the Centre demonstrates his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to start, expand, and compete globally. He noted that the facility will enhance import and export processes, improve the ease of doing business, and deepen Katsina’s participation in international markets.
The Governor recalled his earlier national experience at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), where he was part of the team that set up Nigeria’s National Trade Facilitation Centre. He said Katsina is now building on that foundation by pioneering state-level adaptation of global trade structures in the North-West.
He also thanked the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, consultants, and other partners who contributed to the project. Radda announced that he had approved the establishment of coordinating trade offices across all 34 local government areas to decentralise services and boost local economic activities.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Commerce and Tourism, Hon. Yusuf Jirdede, described the Centre as one of the major legacies of the Radda administration. He said the facility gives Katsina direct access to the World Trade Centre, boosting the State’s international visibility and showcasing its economic potential.
Jirdede noted that although Katsina produces goods with significant market value, they were long perceived as limited to local consumption. The new Centre, he said, would correct that narrative and bridge gaps identified during the State’s recent economic summit.
Dr. Bala Mahmoud Abubakar, State Coordinator of the Bauchi Trade Facilitation Centre, said Katsina’s Centre—established after Bauchi’s 2022 model—surpasses the earlier version in structure, capacity, and strategic design. He commended Katsina for enacting formal legislation prior to the Centre’s establishment, describing it as “a nationally significant step.”
He added that the commissioning marks the first phase of the project, with Phase Two set to establish trade offices in all 34 LGAs to create an end-to-end trade facilitation system. He noted that the Centre would enhance inter-agency collaboration, especially with the Katsina Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), to attract investment and drive economic transformation.
The event was attended by senior government officials including the Director-General of KATDICT, Naufal Ahmed; Economic Adviser Khalil Nura Khalil; and the DG of KIPA, Ibrahim Jikamshi.
The press release was issued by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State.
