G20: Gombe is secure for profitable capital - Inuwa
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has made a compelling case for foreign direct investment in his state, describing Gombe as Nigeria’s emerging commercial hub and a sanctuary for secure, profitable capital.
The Governor took centre stage as a keynote speaker during the high-level Nigeria-South Africa Business and Investment Forum held on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa.
The strategic dialogue, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the South Africa-Nigeria Business Chamber, MTN, and the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa, brought together key policymakers and business leaders.
Governor Yahaya was joined by his counterparts from Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Plateau States, as well as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, to discuss the evolving investment landscape in Nigeria.
In a robust presentation detailing the state’s economic trajectory, Governor Yahaya highlighted the transformative reforms his administration has implemented to de-risk the business environment.
He noted that Gombe has systematically removed bureaucratic bottlenecks through the digitisation of land administration, the streamlining of business registration processes, and the establishment of a dedicated State Investment Agency.
These reforms, he argued, have propelled Gombe to the top tier of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) rankings, cementing its status as the easiest place to do business in Nigeria.
Governor Yahaya further elaborated on the critical infrastructure deficit his administration has bridged to support industrialisation.
He cited the Network 11-100 road revolution project, which has opened up rural clusters to urban markets, drastically reducing travel time and logistics costs for agricultural produce.
He explained that these road networks, combined with strategic investments in the energy sector ranging from mini-grids to large-scale power infrastructure and the revitalisation of the health and education sectors, have created a solid ecosystem for sustainable industrial growth.
Spotlighting specific investment vehicles, the Governor drew attention to two flagship projects designed to anchor the state’s economic diversification.
He detailed the progress of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, a sprawling manufacturing hub already attracting industries, and the 182-hectare Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.
He noted that upon completion, the agro-processing hub will feature modern food processing facilities, international grain markets, and a logistics centre linked to the rail network for seamless export, effectively transforming the state’s agricultural output into value-added products.
On the national front, Governor Yahaya commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for bold economic reforms, particularly the Electricity Act and the unification of the exchange rate.
He argued that these policies have stabilised the naira and liberalised the energy sector, creating a more predictable macroeconomic environment for international investors.
Closing his pitch, the Governor issued a direct invitation to the international business community, urging them to look beyond traditional markets and tap into the virgin opportunities in Gombe’s agriculture, solid minerals, and energy sectors.
He assured investors that Gombe is not just open for business but is equipped to be a partner in progress, declaring that the state is ready to run and thrive alongside any investor willing to tap into its immense potential.