****Calls for Revamp of Industrial Infrastructure, Private Sector Partnerships
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Hon. Ahmed Munir, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s export potential and industrial base following a two-day working visit to the Kano Free Trade Zone and major industrial facilities in the state.
The unannounced visit was aimed at observing day-to-day operations, evaluating service delivery, and assessing the Free Trade Zone’s role in advancing the country’s industrialisation and export promotion agenda.
Hon. Munir, who represents Lere Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, said the inspection offered firsthand insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the zone. He also engaged with key stakeholders in the manufacturing and export sectors.
Established in 1992 under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Act, the Kano Free Trade Zone was designed to accelerate export-driven manufacturing and agro-processing in northern Nigeria.
During his visit, Hon. Munir was received by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, at the Government House, where both officials held strategic talks on unlocking investments in power, mining, and agriculture, with a focus on value addition, technology infusion, and job creation.
He stressed the importance of strong Federal–State collaboration to enhance Kano’s competitiveness in regional and continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
While touring industrial sites, Hon. Munir sensitised manufacturers and exporters to recent trade and export reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration, including tax breaks, low-interest export financing, and streamlined trade facilitation policies aimed at improving Nigeria’s global market position.
He called for a holistic revitalisation of the Kano Free Trade Zone, recommending urgent investments in: Independent power generation for reliable electricity, Rehabilitation of internal road networks, Operationalisation of the AKK Gas Pipeline and Establishment of a modern rail link and logistics hub
Others are the need to expanded warehousing and storage capacity, policy consistency to reassure and attract investors
Hon. Munir also emphasised the need for robust public-private partnerships to drive innovation, attract capital, and modernise production infrastructure.
“Kano has the location, manpower, and history to lead Nigeria’s non-oil export drive,” he said. “With the right reforms, the Kano Free Trade Zone can become a leading gateway for West African trade. The National Assembly is fully committed to providing the legislative support needed to unlock this potential.”
