Economy
Alternative Bank, UK government launch women-dominated commercial tricycles in Kano
In a groundbreaking move that transforms transportation and enhances the security of women, Kano State witnessed the launch of a first-of-its-kind electric tricycle program.
The Alternative Bank, in collaboration with the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Qoray Mobility, unveiled this innovative social impact initiative, providing women with fully electric tricycles and comprehensive training.
This project flips the script on traditional transportation in Kano and marks a new chapter for the expertly trained women ready to navigate the city’s streets.
With 120 women from the Mata Zalla and Yar Baiwa cooperatives having undergone comprehensive training, they are now proficient tricycle drivers and mechanics.
These electric tricycles enable women to generate income by providing local transportation services and operating small delivery businesses.
“This initiative is a double win,” declared Alhaji Garba Mohammed, Executive Director of The Alternative Bank.
“Our electric tricycles are designed to address significant concerns regarding the safety of female passengers and children while at the same time safeguarding the environment.”
While elaborating the benefits of the electic tricylcles, Mohammed said: “Unlike traditional petrol-powered tricycles which contribute to pollution and are costly to operate due to rising fuel prices, our electric tricycles reduce carbon emissions and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
This aligns perfectly with The Alternative Bank’s commitment to both community well-being and environmental responsibility.”
Adamu Maikano, Regional Coordinator of Kaduna and Kano State for the UK’s FCDO, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating: “The UK government, a longstanding ally of Nigeria, is committed to facilitating investment, trade, and economic development.
The launch of this EV project is evidence that partnerships truly work when all parties remain focused on a mutual goal.”
Emphasizing the collaborative effort in facilitating the pilot of this EV project, Maikano said: “The UK’s FCDO-funded LINKS programme, worked with two women’s cooperatives in Kano – Mata Zalla and Yar Baiwa, The Alternative Bank, and the Kano Road Traffic Agency, to train 85 women, including the certification of 30 mechanics, and provision of essential tools.
The UK’s FCDO also supported the cooperatives with a two-year lease for the service center, and equipped them with battery recharging infrastructure.”
Explaining further, he said: “The project addresses challenges women face with traditional tricycles, including instances of violence. Having female owners and operators of the e-tricycles offers added comfort and security to women passengers who have no choice but to use tricycles for transportation,and equally offers the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions significantly.”
Olabanjo Alimi, the Head of Qoray Mobility, expressed pride in the initiative and optimism about expanding the pilot program and improving its electric vehicles. He highlighted a recent launch in Victoria Island, Lagos, where locally built charging stations were introduced.
Reflecting on Qoray’s history, Alimi emphasized the company’s vision for the future of urban transportation—one with reduced pollution, lower transportation costs, and a strong commitment to the local community.
He remarked, “Unlike traditional petrol-powered tricycles that contribute to pollution and incur high operating costs due to rising fuel prices, these electric tricycles are designed to reduce carbon emissions and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.”
Alimi, a Kano native, concluded by thanking The Alternative Bank for its support and highlighting Qoray’s vision: “a future with cleaner air, lower transportation costs, and a thriving local community.”
This initiative signifies a transformative step towards a more sustainable and secure transportation system for women in Kano State. The Alternative Bank, along with its partners, is dedicated to continuing this momentum and expanding the program to create more opportunities for women across Nigeria
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The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it is committed to building the capacity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to make them export-ready.
Hajiya Amina Abdulmalik, North West Regional Coordinator NEPC, stated this on Thursday in Kano at the Export Competency Development Workshop for SMEs and MSMEs.
She said the workshop was designed to prepare exporters with the knowledge and skills required to take their produce beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“The essence of organizing this workshop is to prepare our exporters, build their capacity, and make them ready to export. By the end of this workshop, I want to see more than half of the participants export-ready,” Abdulmalik said.
She explained that once exporters are able to formally export their products, Nigeria’s trade volume would increase, thereby contributing positively to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to her, support for exporters depends on the type of product being exported, stressing that working in clusters makes retention and assistance easier.
“A common center, perhaps with machinery, can help them process their products. It is not feasible to provide individual support, except through the Export Expansion Grant (EEG),” she said.
She added that exporters must formally export their products, repatriate proceeds, and maintain proper accounts to benefit from the EEG, which serves as a financial incentive.
Abdulmalik noted that NEPC had also provided certificates such as the Mandatory Development Certificate (MDE) and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certificate to participants, especially women.
“These certificates are essential for exporting to Europe and the United States. Without them, individuals would face significant costs, but through our support, many have been able to obtain them,” she said.
Earlier, Alhaji Nura Habib, Vice President of KACCIMA, said this at the Export Competency Development Workshop in Kano, describing the programme as an opportunity to reposition enterprises and compete beyond Nigeria’s borders.
He noted that access to markets begins with access to knowledge, stressing that the workshop would provide insights into procedures, standards, documentation and international expectations.
Habib commended the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for its dedication to promoting non-oil exports and pledged KACCIMA’s support in expanding Nigeria’s export base.
Speaking also, the Director-General of KACCIMA, Alhaji Tijani Abdullahi, said the workshop was designed to enlighten entrepreneurs on formal export processes and regulations.
“We organized this workshop to guide them on the procedures and rules required for effective export business,” he said, adding that many agribusiness operators in Kano were now conducting exports properly.
Sarki explained that KACCIMA provides information on goods required for export, registration processes and compliance with rules and regulations, noting that the initiative had already yielded positive results.
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The Executive Chairman, Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr Zaid Abubakar, says the consolidation of Area Tax Offices from 28 to 12 Revenue Service Centres was a strategic move to improve efficiency and oversight.
Abubakar disclosed this at the KIRS Annual Dinner and Awards Night in Kano, noting that the reform was complemented by the recruitment of over 100 new staff to sustain the Service’s transformation agenda.
He explained that the restructuring was part of broader measures that had boosted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N74 billion in 2024 to N102 billion in 2025.
According to him, the Service had also introduced reforms in motor vehicle administration, including faster turnaround for number plate issuance, improved server uptime and deployment of mobile enforcement equipment.
On future plans, Abubakar announced the introduction of an Annual Development Levy of N2,000, with 50 per cent of collections retained at the community level to support grassroots development.
He added that permanent, state-of-the-art Area Offices would be established across the state to replace rented facilities, while integration with the Nigeria Revenue Service would enhance intelligence and data-driven decision-making.
The chairman said the Service was targeting N200 billion in IGR once full institutional autonomy was achieved, commending staff for their dedication and urging them to remain focused.
Speaking also, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Alhaji Musa Shanono, commended KIRS for its outstanding performance, describing the achievements as a testament to the agency’s professionalism in enhancing revenue generation.
Shanono lauded Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his proactive development strides, highlighting his administration’s commitment to infrastructural expansion, social welfare programmes and economic empowerment initiatives.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Human Resource Services, Hajiya Fatima Ahmad, congratulated the awardees and expressed confidence that the recognition would inspire them to pursue the ambition of N200 billion in IGR.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured award presentations to outstanding staff members in recognition of their exceptional performance.
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Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kano have been urged to tap into Nigeria’s capital market as a strategic tool for wealth creation and business expansion.
Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), made the remarks in Kano on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ meeting themed ‘Unlocking Growth: Harnessing the Capital Market for SME Growth.’”
Kwairanga emphasised that access to capital market instruments could provide SMEs with the funding needed to scale operations and generate sustainable wealth.
The chairman noted that SMEs form the backbone of the Nigerian economy and have the potential to significantly contribute to national economic growth if properly supported.
He added that NGX has designed initiatives to make capital market participation more accessible to businesses across the country.
“Our aim is to engage prospective and listed companies in the NGX, helping them meet the necessary requirements to fully benefit from market opportunities.We want these SMEs to achieve great success, just like Dangote or BUA,” he said.
He highlighted the investment potential in the capital market, citing that last year, companies in the sector, particularly engineering firms, delivered returns exceeding 50 percent.
“Currently, our market has already returned over 30 percent, and we are confident of tripling last year’s performance,” he added.
Kwairanga also cited local success stories such as Jai’s Bank, a non-interest bank listed on the stock exchange. Its shares, initially priced at one unit, have risen to over ten units, illustrating the wealth creation potential of strategic investments.
Stressing the need to engage young people and women, Kwairanga said, “ 70 percent of our population is under 30. If we do not provide these opportunities, we risk producing untapped potential that could become a ‘time bomb’ for the future.” he explained.
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