The Kano state says government must keep striving to provide enabling policies, industry must invest and innovate, academia must supply research and talent, and development partners must support scale.
Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the deputy governor of Kano state disclosed this while declaring open, the 2nd Kano Digital Innovation Network (KDIN) themed: Economic Resilience: Addresssing Financial Inclusion, Food Security, Urban Challenges and Green Economy in Nigeria held in Kano on Tuesday.
The conference was featured Initiatives:
Pan African Digital Lab, Women in Innovation Forum, Roundtables Discussions and Infrastructure Network for African Food (INAF).
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According to Gwarzo, development is aligned with the “triple helix” and multi-stakeholder models that have proven effective globally.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as you may be aware the current Administration acknowledges the quantum of work to be done and is rising to new wave of technology revolution in Nigeria. It is no surprise that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has spearheaded the development of the National AI Strategy, launched the AI Research Scheme, Digital Public Infrastructure and is currently implementing one of the boldest initiatives to strengthen Nigeria digital economy by aiming to deploy 90,000km of fibre optics cable across the country to connect more Nigerians to the opportunities in the global economy. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has also declared Artificial Intelligence as key to Nigeria’s quest for development, rallying for an AI-focused collaboration in research and innovation,” said the deputy governor.
He said “as we deliberate today, I urge us to remain focused on inclusive growth—ensuring that the farmer in Katsina, the trader in Kano, the startup in Maiduguri, and the student in Sokoto all benefit from the digital economy. I believe strongly that with innovation, collaboration, and vision, Northern Nigeria can emerge not only as the digital heartbeat of Nigeria, but also as a beacon for Africa. Let me conclude by commending the organizers for creating this platform. May the conversations today translate into tangible actions that uplift our people, empower our youth, and secure a prosperous, resilient future for our nation.”
In remark, the director general of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) expressed appreciation for the innovators and entrepreneurs who will showcase their talents and display innovations.
“Our topic — “Driving Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Growth in Nigeria” — challenges us to look back at our journey since independence, take stock of where we are today, and chart a path forward,” he said.
“Historical Perspective (1960–2025)
At independence in 1960, Nigeria’s financial system served only a tiny elite in urban centres. The vast majority of citizens operated outside the banking system. The rural banking schemes of the 1970s and 1980s tried to extend services, but exclusion remained widespread.
“By the 1990s and early 2000s, exclusion levels were still over 50%. This meant millions of Nigerians — farmers, traders, artisans — had no safe place to save, no access to credit, and no way to benefit from formal financial services.
Encouragingly, recent decades have seen progress. The National Financial Inclusion Strategy, launched in 2012 and revised thereafter, created the foundation for agent banking, tiered KYC, and digital payments.
“Today, according to EFInA’s 2023 survey, 74% of adults are financially included, with 64% formally included. This is real progress, compared to just about 40% in the early 2000s. But 26% of adults remain excluded, and most of them live in the North, including Kano.
“Kano and the North: The Gaps Kano is a city of entrepreneurs. Its leather, textile, and agro-processing industries have fed not just Nigerian markets but the entire sub-region. Yet the gap remains wide: exclusion rates in the North are significantly higher than in the South. In Kano, too many women, youth, and rural entrepreneurs still lack access to affordable finance, markets, and digital tools.
This exclusion is not just a statistic — it translates into unrealized jobs, lower incomes, and constrained growth.
“Digital Transformation as a Game Changer
Today, we stand at a turning point. Digital innovation is rewriting the rules.
• Agent banking and mobile money mean that financial services can reach every village.
• Digital credit and micro-insurance offer small entrepreneurs the chance to grow without traditional collateral.
• Online marketplaces connect Kano’s traders to buyers across Africa and beyond.
• Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem is attracting global attention and investment, creating tools that can drive inclusion at scale.
NITDA’s Role
At NITDA, we are aligning our mandate with this reality. Our interventions include:
• Establishing 1,600 ICT Centres nationwide — hubs for digital skills, entrepreneurship, and inclusion.
• Expanding digital literacy programmes — so citizens not only have access to technology but the capacity to use it productively.
• Supporting innovation ecosystems — ensuring startups and entrepreneurs have platforms to scale.
• Working with CBN, state governments, and partners to align policy and regulation with the needs of the excluded.
“A Roadmap for Inclusive Growth
To drive financial inclusion and entrepreneurship in Kano and across the North, we must:
1. Scale agent networks into underserved LGAs.
2. Deliver digital literacy tailored to women and youth.
3. Support MSME finance innovations — digital loans, micro-insurance, credit guarantees.
4. Use data to target the most excluded communities.
5. Build innovation hubs linked directly to local industries like agriculture, textiles, and creative enterprises.
6. Strengthen consumer protection and trust in digital finance.
“Partnership Is Key
No single actor can achieve this alone.
• State governments must prioritize broadband, ICT centres, and market Wi-Fi.
• Banks and fintechs must design inclusive products, in local languages and at low cost.
• Development partners must blend finance with technical assistance.
• Traditional and community leaders must champion adoption and inclusion, especially among women.
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“Closing Vision
From the caravan trade routes of centuries past to the fintech platforms of today, Kano has always been a Centre of enterprise. Now, with digital tools, we can finally ensure that inclusion is not a privilege but a right — and that every entrepreneur, no matter how small, has the chance to thrive.
If we succeed, we will transform exclusion into empowerment, and entrepreneurship into a foundation for jobs, resilience, and shared prosperity.