Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has announced that the Kaduna Smart City project is expected to attract $150 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and create over 500,000 indirect jobs.
The governor shared this during an interaction with State House correspondents in Abuja, following his visit to Vice President Kashim Shettima to express condolences over the recent flood disaster in Borno State.
Governor Sani stated the significance of the project, which he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for with Huawei Technologies Limited in Beijing, China.
The signing was witnessed by President Bola Tinubu and other senior government officials during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of a safer and more efficient Kaduna, leveraging technology to enhance security, public services, and attract further investments.
“Many private investors are eager to key into this MoU. The project will generate about 100,000 direct jobs and up to 500,000 indirect jobs,” Sani stated. He also noted that the project builds on earlier efforts, including a partnership with Google that trained 5,000 women in digital economy skills.
The governor emphasized that Huawei’s partnership will provide comprehensive solutions, including the establishment of a State-Level Unified Command Center, Intelligent Traffic Systems, E-Government, Smart Education, Smart Healthcare, ICT Talent development, and renewable energy systems.
The Kaduna Smart City project marks a significant step toward advancing the state’s economy, improving city management, and fostering job creation. Governor Sani assured that a committee has been established to ensure timely implementation of the MoU.
In addition to his comments on the project, the governor expressed his sympathy for the people of Borno State, currently facing severe flooding due to the collapse of the Alau Dam. He emphasized the importance of addressing natural disasters and educating citizens to prevent future crises.
