Kaduna is an attractive place for investors given the state’s growing market opportunities, investment-friendly environment, strategic location, large and educated population, good road and transportation network, and security.

Access to Growing Markets

Kaduna is the third most populous state in Nigeria, is close to Abuja, and has easy access to Lagos. Its high quality of life, many higher education institutions, and forward-looking leadership makes it an attractive place to live and work.

Investment-Friendly Environment

The Kaduna State Government has developed a business-friendly environment conducive to investment. Efforts have concentrated on providing:

• Quick access to industrial plots and certificates of occupancy
• Matching funding for priority investment projects
• Successful efforts to counter corruption and promote transparency
• Predictable government policies, e.g. early notification to business community of key changes being considered by government and related to the business climate.
• Tax incentives, including “pioneer status,” which provides tax concessions for 5 to 7 years to companies investing in economically disadvantaged areas, or involved in local raw material development, local value-added, labor-intensive processing, export-oriented activities, plant training, and infrastructure development.

Strategic Location/Proximity

Kaduna is a 30-minute flight or 2-hour drive from Abuja (the country’s capital) and a 1-hour flight or 4-hour drive from Lagos (Nigeria’s largest city). The State shares borders with the Niger Republic, and the Nigerian states of Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Plateau, FCT Abuja, and Nassarawa. Kaduna’s central location and advanced road and rail system, combined with increasing demand for food products and consumer goods in surrounding cities and states, has made it a popular place for investors looking for a hub location to serve several markets.

Large and Educated Population

Kaduna has a population of over 6 million people. Not only do they represent an underserved consumer market, but they are a good and growing source of skilled and semi-skilled workers. Coined the “Center of Learning” of Nigeria, Kaduna is home to many of Nigeria’s higher education institutions and vocational training facilities. Furthermore, Kaduna’s “11 Point Agenda” focuses on providing free and compulsory primary education to all. In 2008 and 2009 alone, the State spent 28 percent of its annual budget on educational development. Efforts to provide free and compulsory education will help to further develop Kaduna’s skilled labor force.

Good Road/Transportation Network

Kaduna has one of the best road systems in Nigeria with 2,820 kilometers of trunk roads radiating from Kaduna City and an additional 1,200 kilometers throughout the state. Development of the road system has been a strategic priority of the government to support the business community and has facilitated business partnerships and productivity improvements. Railways converge at Kaduna city from Lagos in the southwest and Port-Harcourt in the southeast, and extend to Zaria, which connects to Kano and Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State. The State is also investing heavily to build new bridges and roads linking all LGAs and establishing a city railway system covering north and south of Kaduna City.

Security

Kaduna’s current administration has made significant security-related improvements, helping to make Kaduna a safe and business-friendly state. These improvements include an increase in the quantity and quality of security resources such as vehicles, street lighting, and security personnel.