Work commences on N252 billion Kano Economic City project

Taunted to be Africa’s biggest trade city, KEC, a vision of Integrated Development and Investment Services Limited (IDIS) and the Kano State Government, will create a trade hub that would redefine the business environment in northern Nigeria, by providing an alternative environment for investors and tourists, traders, and subsequently transforming the domestic, regional and international economic landscape.

According to a statement made available to Business Day, the first phase of the project which sits on approximately 121.2 hectares of land was awarded early this month to Dys Trocca Valsesia and Company Limited, better known as DTV.

The City, being financed by a consortium of local and foreign banks led by Oceanic Bank International Plc, would accommodate a five-star hotel, residential and industrial estates, an all encompassing shopping mall, a world trade centre, a retail market, warehouses of various sizes, two large cinema halls, social and recreational facilities, conference facilities, rail terminus, fuel and fire stations, banks, clinics, post offices and a maintenance building among others.

The facility according to the statement, would also ease circulation, parking and maneuverability for vehicular and human traffic, with adequate parking facilities, maximum possibility for interaction among market users, provision and full utilization of support facilities, efficient goods handling, energy efficiency and ease of maintenance and minimum development standards for health, safety and environmental standards.

"The Economic City will have the biggest shopping mall in Africa that would make shopping in Nigeria a very exciting experience. The facility will be fitted with the largest technology in shopping, comparably to that obtained in City Centre mall and Mall of Emirates in Dubai, United Arab Emirate. It is expected that when completed, there would be no need for Nigerians and West Africans to travel abroad for shopping as the world’s best designers would be adequately represented."

Strength, uniqueness, and community creativity will be essential for the success of the new era that the Kano Economic City represents. With such transformation in mind, the Kano State Government, co-promoter of the project, must promote its policies with long-term perspectives and utilise limited resources effectively, noted the Statement.

It called on the government to promote strategic plans for effective management by working together with its citizens and the private sector, stressing that that the power of citizens, local communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector will help create a comfortable place in which to live and facilitate free economic activities, thus contributing to a more vital city.