Add us on Google
The Katsina State Government has concluded plans to disburse financial grants to no fewer than 6,200 roadside businesses under its KASEDA Direct Grant Programme, as part of efforts to strengthen micro and small enterprises across the state.
The approval was granted during the 6th Regular Executive Council Meeting held at the Red Chamber, General Muhammadu Buhari House in Katsina State, presided over by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, said the initiative forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to stimulate grassroots economic growth and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
According to him, the programme is anchored on the government’s “Building Your Future” agenda, which prioritises economic inclusion, enterprise development, and sustainable livelihoods.
The Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency, Babangida Rumah, disclosed that the council also approved the branding of 6,200 roadside shops and small businesses across the state’s metropolitan areas and all 34 Local Government Areas.
He explained that the branding exercise is a preparatory step towards the disbursement of grants, ensuring that identified beneficiaries are properly documented and supported under the scheme.
“This effort follows the successful corridor mapping of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises conducted by the agency to identify eligible businesses for financial intervention,” Rumah said.
He added that the initiative is expected to enhance visibility, improve business structure, and provide direct financial support to small-scale operators who form a critical segment of the state’s informal economy.
Findings indicate that many roadside traders and micro-entrepreneurs in Katsina often operate with limited capital and minimal access to formal financial systems, a gap the government aims to bridge through targeted interventions.
The programme is also expected to drive job creation, increase income levels, and reduce poverty, particularly among urban and semi-urban dwellers.
Industry observers note that structured support for micro businesses could significantly improve economic resilience, especially in a period marked by rising costs and limited access to credit facilities.
The state government maintained that the grant scheme would be implemented transparently, with mechanisms in place to ensure that only verified and deserving businesses benefit from the intervention.
The latest move underscores the administration’s commitment to building a more inclusive and economically vibrant state by empowering small business owners and strengthening the foundation of local commerce.
