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The Kano State Investment Promotion Agency (KAN-Invest) is spearheading a five-year initiative to convert the State’s substantial daily waste output into economic opportunity, aiming to generate millions of dollars annually while creating jobs and promoting sustainable development.
This ambitious plan, led by Nazir Haliru, its Director General, seeks to position Kano as a leader in Nigeria’s emerging green economy.
KAN-Invest highlights that this waste-to-wealth project is part of a broader five-year development plan. A public call for Expressions of Interest will soon invite investors to pitch proposals for investing in Kano.
The strategy, rooted in circular economy principles, was a key topic at a recent workshop held at Babale Suits in Kano.
The gathering convened stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector to explore methods of monetising the city’s vast waste generation. Kano, already a major waste collection hub in Africa, possesses a “very lucrative” waste enterprise if properly managed, according to Professor Aminu Nabegu of Aliko Dangote University.
To fully realize this potential, KAN-Invest’s plan emphasises the need for robust waste sorting and recycling infrastructure, significant capital investment in processing facilities, and comprehensive capacity-building programs.
Public awareness campaigns are also crucial to reframe public perception of waste from a burden to a valuable resource.
Kano’s model draws inspiration from successful initiatives like Lagos-based Wecyclers, a social enterprise that empowers low-income communities through recycling. This demonstrates the viability of waste-to-wealth programs that are both socially inclusive and financially sound.
The initiative offers substantial benefits: early entry opportunities for investors in a high-potential green economy, new job creation and cleaner urban environments for communities, and a replicable sustainable development model for policymakers across Nigeria.
KAN-Invest’s five-year plan will include incentives for private sector participation, partnerships with environmental and industrial organizations, and policy alignment to attract both local and foreign direct investment.
With rapid urbanisation and increasing waste volumes, Kano’s proactive approach could mark a significant turning point for the state’s and Nigeria’s environmental and economic future.
