By Gabriel Ameh
Kano State is seeking to attract more Indonesian investors into Nigeria, with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) positioning the state as a potential gateway to wider African markets.
KACCIMA President, Amb. Usman Darma, disclosed this during an interview at the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2026 in BSD City, Tangerang, Indonesia, where a 100-member business delegation from Kano is participating.
Darma said the size of the delegation reflects Kano’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations with Indonesia.
According to him, about 60 members of the delegation were already at the expo, while the remaining participants were expected to arrive shortly.
The delegation includes businesspeople from manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals and other sectors seeking Indonesian investors, technology and technical partnerships.
“Our main focus is how we can encourage indigenous Indonesian companies to come to Nigeria, especially Kano, to establish more industries because we believe it is an advantage for all of us,” Darma said.
Kano Targets Industrial and Agricultural Investment
Darma identified market access and labour availability as factors that could attract Indonesian businesses to Kano.
He claimed that businesses operating from the state could reach markets across nearly 26 African countries, although the specific countries and trade arrangements were not detailed in the interview.
He added that Kano was seeking investment in 13 priority sectors, with particular emphasis on light manufacturing and agro-processing.
According to him, the state’s agricultural production offers opportunities for Indonesian companies to establish processing facilities, serve Nigeria’s domestic market and export finished products to other markets.
“There is a lot of agricultural produce. It is good for them to come to Kano to process, sell locally and re-export to the continent and around the world,” he said.
Pharmaceuticals Also on Investment Agenda
The KACCIMA president identified pharmaceuticals as another area with potential for collaboration.
He said several Indonesian pharmaceutical companies exhibiting at TEI 2026 had products that could find buyers in Nigeria, adding that local assembly and production could create opportunities for both countries.
Such investments could support industrial development and improve local value addition if backed by viable business arrangements, regulatory compliance and sustained demand.
Darma also praised a recent Indonesian trade expo organised in Kano by the Indonesian Embassy, describing the event as successful.
He said participating Indonesian companies recorded sales and established business connections, with some exhibitors reportedly selling out the samples they brought to the event.
He expressed optimism that more Indonesian companies would establish operations in Nigeria before the next Kano expo.
TEI 2026 Attracts International Buyers
Darma spoke on the sidelines of TEI 2026, which brought together international buyers and businesses seeking new trade and investment opportunities.
According to the report supplied, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed more than 8,092 foreign buyers from 134 countries, while the expo set a transaction target of US$17.5 billion.
Kano’s participation reflects its efforts to attract foreign capital and build commercial partnerships beyond Nigeria.
However, the proposed investment opportunities will depend on whether discussions at the expo translate into concrete agreements, factory projects, technology transfers and sustainable job creation.
For Kano, the next step will be turning its investment pitch into practical opportunities for businesses, workers and agricultural producers.
Source: Our Correspondent.
