Katsina State marked a milestone in its enterprise journey with the Maiden MSME Awards and the Graduation Ceremony of the Dikko Social Innovation Academy (DSIA) — a dual event celebrating creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the state.
Held at the Government House Banquet Hall, the event showcased the state's growing MSME ecosystem and its commitment to inclusive economic development under Governor Dikko Umar Radda's leadership.
Through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), the government has launched a ₦5 billion MSME Development Fund, with ₦500 million already disbursed to youth and women entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to accelerate MSME growth, job creation, and wealth generation across key sectors.
Strategic collaborations with the Bank of Industry, Sterling Bank, SMEDAN, and the UNDP—which recently committed ₦542 million to support MSMEs in conflict-affected areas—are driving the program's impact.
Read also,
The event also celebrated the first cohort of 18 fellows graduating from the Dikko Social Innovation Academy (DSIA), an initiative equipping young people from underserved communities with practical skills in problem-solving, design thinking, and social entrepreneurship.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who graced the occasion, reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to MSME development nationwide.
Governor Radda emphasized that Katsina is building a future where innovation powers opportunity, enterprises thrive, and young people lead sustainable growth across the state.
