Borno State is taking a major step away from years of humanitarian crisis towards economic recovery as the United Nations, European Union, German Government and other development partners rally investors to support reconstruction, create jobs and rebuild livelihoods.
The international partners made the commitment at the third Borno State Private Sector Engagement and Investment Roundtable held in Abuja, where more than 50 prospective investors gathered to explore business opportunities in the state.
The meeting formed part of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration’s efforts to attract private capital into Borno’s economy by supporting bankable projects, expanding businesses and creating sustainable opportunities for residents, including families affected by displacement.
Representatives of the United Nations, European Union and German Embassy said Borno’s recovery could not depend only on humanitarian support, stressing that private investment would be critical to achieving long-term stability and prosperity.
The Representative of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Nigeria, Thembekile Dube-Nanbe, urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and convert investment opportunities into measurable results.
“Let us identify viable investment opportunities, mobilise capital, establish lasting partnerships, and commit to measurable results,” Dube-Nanbe said.
The European Union Head of Human Development, Laila Ben Amor Mathieu, said the bloc had remained committed to supporting Borno through its most difficult years by providing humanitarian assistance and backing stabilisation and recovery programmes.
She, however, noted that sustainable reconstruction required more than government funding and donor support.
“Grants and public budgets alone will not finance recovery at the scale Borno needs. Private capital must play its part, and the role of us partners is to make that possible,” Mathieu said.
According to her, investors could support the proposed Borno State Durable Solutions Trust Fund or pursue commercially viable projects with government-backed incentives, including access to land, industrial hubs and favourable tax measures.
She encouraged businesses to identify investment opportunities, work with local companies and create jobs for women and young people.
“Borno is becoming an investment story. The European Union is proud to be part of it,” Mathieu said.
The Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Dr Karen Jansen, also commended the state government for rebuilding communities, restoring infrastructure and public services, while creating an environment capable of attracting investors.
She said private sector participation, including blended finance models, would complement development assistance and support sustainable reconstruction.
“Mobilising private sector investment, including through blended finance, will be essential to complement development cooperation and support Borno’s sustainable reconstruction,” Jansen said.
Governor Zulum said his administration was committed to creating a business-friendly environment that would encourage investors to explore opportunities across different sectors of the state’s economy.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, the governor said improvements in security and ongoing reforms had helped Borno transition from emergency humanitarian intervention towards economic recovery.
He invited investors to explore opportunities in commercial agriculture, livestock production, fisheries and manufacturing, while urging financial institutions to increase access to credit for small and medium enterprises.
“Government’s role is to build the foundation, establish the security, and create the regulatory framework. But the private sector is the ultimate engine of wealth creation, job opportunities, and lasting prosperity,” Zulum said.
The governor said the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency was working to simplify procedures for investors through land administration reforms, fiscal incentives and public-private partnership frameworks designed to protect investments.
The Abuja roundtable followed earlier engagements held in Lagos and Kano, which focused on financing viable projects, supporting small and medium enterprises, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and infrastructure development.
With renewed interest from international partners and private investors, Borno is seeking to transform its recovery efforts into an economic model built around jobs, enterprise growth and sustainable development.
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