The phase 1 of the Kano Economic City (KEC), a multi-billion-naira mega shopping project, would be completed by February 2021.
The premier economic hub, touted as the largest modern market in Northern Nigeria, is situated on a 117 hectares of land lying on Dangoro village along Kano-Zaria Highway. It is designed to accommodate 13,000 shops of various sizes within the three phase project.
The project, being constructed under a public private partnership between Kano State government, Brains and Hammers Limited and a financial institution, is projected as a trans-border market hub in the region.
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The Chairman, KEC Implementation Committee, Alhaji Mohammad Aliyu, disclosed during a facility tour by journalists that the city was conceived to provide access to affordable accommodation, conducive atmosphere for business transactions and adequate security to inhabitants.
Aliyu, who doubles as Director, Brains and Hammers, explained that the developer is providing technical expertise to enable them deliver furnished 1,000 luxury duplexes and basic shops dedicated to pharmaceutical wholesalers, and another 3,000 units for a ‘GSM Village’.
He noted that KEC is an appropriately timed, necessitated by the quantum of commercial activities and cross-border trades facilitated through the state.
According to him, the present commercial activities in the ancient city have outgrown the existing market facilities; with attendant impact of congestion, poor access to road, non maintenance of the structure and huge financial losses emanating from uncontrollable fire outbreaks.
“Knowing that the last purpose-built market in the state was implemented in the 1980s, it was from a point of development, job creation, and commerce enhancement that Brains and Hammers decided to partner the state government in conjunction with Jaiz Bank to develop a major economic hub and Export Processing Zone (EPZ) with well-crafted components, which would include over 80,000 square meters of mega wholesale and retail warehouses.
“While the primary target market is Kano, KEC would serve other traders in Nigeria and across West Africa, whose business value chain activities interlink with Kano markets and businesses. It is our vision to deliver an economic hub that provides the complete commercial, hospitality, and work-life experience backed by infrastructural facilities for the people of Kano, Nigeria, West Africa, and the entire sub-Saharan African region,” Aliyu explained.
The Project Director, Dr. Abdullahi Gambo, said the dream is to create a major economic hub and export processing zone with well-crafted components.
The project will also include shops, trailer parks, passenger motor parks, a conference centre, petrol stations, hotels, malls, and medical facilities.
The infrastructure to be provided include water distribution network, storm-water drainage system, electric power supply, streetlight, 24- hour security, telecommunication ducts, plug and play facilities.
