Gov Radda Eyes N50bn Boost for Katsina’s Carbon Market

Katsina Pushes for Green Industrialization and Carbon Economy at National Forest Summit

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has made a compelling appeal to both domestic and international investors, as well as development partners, to back the state’s ambitious ₦50 billion Carbon Portfolio, which is positioned as a cornerstone of its long-term green economy strategy.

Speaking at the Nigeria Forest Economy Summit 2025, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and jointly organized by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) and the Border Community Development Agency (BCDA), the governor—represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Climate Change, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin—outlined a transformative vision for forest-based economic development.

Introducing KAGGA: A Model for National Forest Reform

Governor Radda used the occasion to advocate for the Katsina Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA) to be adopted as a national framework for forest economy transformation. Launched in April 2025, KAGGA is designed to integrate environmental sustainability with economic innovation, specifically tailored to arid and semi-arid regions like northern Nigeria.

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Radda emphasized the urgent need for intervention, revealing that Katsina State has already lost 15% of its forest cover, while 60% of its farmland is severely affected by drought.

“These challenges are not merely environmental—they are existential,” he said. “KAGGA is our response: a blueprint for harmonizing ecological restoration with inclusive economic growth.”

The Economic Power of Green Innovation

KAGGA’s potential impact is vast. Governor Radda projected the creation of 100,000 green jobs by 2035 through sustainable forestry, eco-tourism, and climate-resilient agriculture. The initiative is also expected to:

• Generate ₦3.5 billion annually through waste recycling,
• Yield ₦4.2 billion from plastic upcycling,
• And power new industries through a $500 million Solar Industrial Park, developed in partnership with Genesis Energy.

In addition, the plan includes:

• Electrification of 500 rural communities using solar mini-grids,
• Protection of 50% of the state’s farmland via Climate-Smart Agriculture and drought-resistant crops,
• And industrial-scale transformation of forest products into high-value goods under a Green Industrialization initiative.

The entire strategy is backed by the state’s dedicated ₦50 billion Green Investment Fund and a new wave of climate-friendly legislation currently under development.

A Call to Action for National and Global Stakeholders

Governor Radda urged stakeholders to consider Katsina not just as a beneficiary of climate financing, but as a proactive partner in the global transition to a green economy.

“We invite investors to support Katsina’s Carbon Portfolio through our ₦50 billion Afforestation Fund,” he said. “Let us co-create Africa’s first sub-national carbon trade hub, rooted in arid-land afforestation and green innovation.”

He further encouraged federal policymakers to adopt KAGGA as a national template, aligning state-level forest policies under a unified strategy. He also highlighted the importance of border forest security, urging broader support for PreCEFI’s national initiatives in this domain.

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Redefining Nigeria’s Forest Economy

Governor Radda concluded by describing KAGGA as a bold new vision to transform environmental degradation into economic opportunity.

“Our forests, once threatened by desertification and conflict, are now the foundation for a reimagined future—one where restoration and revenue go hand in hand,” he stated.

With its integrated focus on renewable energy, environmental protection, and inclusive job creation, KAGGA offers a pioneering model for other Nigerian states aiming to address climate change while driving economic progress.