The Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) has released its 2025 Impact Report, outlining wide-ranging interventions that led to job creation, expanded access to finance, youth empowerment, skills development, and stronger support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Katsina State.
According to the report, KASEDA’s programmes and partnerships in 2025 resulted in the creation of 5,373 direct and indirect jobs, the deployment of a ₦3.4 billion MSME Managed Fund, and support for over 3,600 businesses across all 34 local government areas of the state. The figures highlight the agency’s growing role in driving enterprise growth, income generation, and economic inclusion.
The report showed that the ₦3.4 billion MSME Managed Fund was implemented in collaboration with the Bank of Industry and Sterling Bank Plc to provide interest-free loans to entrepreneurs. Within the reporting period, 394 MSMEs accessed loans through Sterling Bank, while 111 MSMEs were disbursed loans through the Bank of Industry. In addition, 3,131 MSMEs were submitted to the Bank of Industry and are currently undergoing documentation processes.
KASEDA noted that beneficiaries of the zero-interest loans recorded improvements in sales, production output, profit margins, and employee retention. The agency said performance monitoring revealed that most beneficiaries used the funds as working capital to stabilise and expand their businesses, while loan repayment performance showed strong commitment and accountability among MSMEs.
Beyond access to finance, the report detailed several targeted empowerment initiatives. Under the ₦200 million Building Your Future Youth Empowerment Programme, over 1,000 youths across the 34 local government areas received startup capital through a collaboration between KASEDA and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development. Beneficiaries were monitored at their business locations to assess growth and sustainability.
During the International MSMEs Day Fair held in 2025, KASEDA provided entrepreneurship training and ₦50,000 grants to 200 MSMEs that participated in the event. Similarly, at the National Expanded MSMEs Clinic, 60 exhibitors received ₦50,000 scale-up grants from KASEDA, while 20 outstanding vendors were supported with ₦250,000 each by the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The report also highlighted skills development efforts through the KASEDA and Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association Mechatronics Apprenticeship Support Programme. The programme was designed to train 3,000 youths in auto-related technical skills, including auto-mechanics, auto-electricians, auto-sprayers, panel beaters, vulcanisers, and other related trades. In the first batch, 1,500 apprentices were enrolled, with 1,169 actively participating across workshops in all 34 local government areas.
Evaluation results showed that 1,093 apprentices demonstrated technical competence, safety awareness, punctuality, and commitment during assessments. As a result of the strong performance, starter packs valued at ₦233 million were distributed to participating apprentices to support self-employment and business setup.
In the area of digital skills, the KASEDA Digital Academy trained 684 beneficiaries drawn from all local government areas, with female participants accounting for 41 percent. The programme awarded 312 professional certifications, completed 64 practical digital projects, and supported 19 startups and digital service businesses.
The Dikko Social Innovation Academy also graduated 18 participants who completed intensive training programmes covering software development, data analytics, digital marketing, product management, and social innovation. The programme produced nine startups and recorded a total of 18,000 training hours.
Speaking on the report, the Director General of KASEDA, Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma, said the agency’s interventions reflected a clear focus on building a resilient and inclusive economy. He said, “The 2025 Impact Report reflects our commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening MSMEs, and positioning Katsina State for sustainable economic growth driven by the private sector.”
The report further noted that KASEDA institutionalised enterprise competitiveness through the first Katsina MSME Awards Dinner, which recognised outstanding businesses contributing to job creation, innovation, and compliance. A total of 48 MSMEs were nominated, with the nominated enterprises supporting over 1,850 direct jobs.
KASEDA stated that its integrated approach combining finance access, skills development, digital transformation, and enterprise formalisation has continued to strengthen business resilience, expand market access, and support livelihoods across Katsina State in 2025.
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