Kano stakeholders mull market opportunities

Worried by the limited access to wider markets for African businesses, the Executive Director of Futuremap Foundation, Dr Shuaib Sani Shuaib, has called for stronger collaboration among governments, investors, academics and the private sector to unlock economic opportunities for businesses and young entrepreneurs.

Shuaib made the call on Wednesday at the three-day 2026 Global Tech Africa Conference in Kano, where he said the continent needed practical solutions to connect producers, manufacturers and consumers rather than limiting discussions to technology.

The conference, which attracted stakeholders to address issues relating to technology, commerce and industrialisation, which had often been discussed separately, had as its theme: “Connecting Africa, Accelerating Growth.”

Speaking at the event, Shuaib posited that Africa had abundant human and material resources but lacked adequate systems to connect businesses to wider markets.

“Kano’s leather and footwear industry is a great example of local manufacturers that have the skills, raw materials and traditional expertise to compete in larger markets but often struggle to reach customers beyond their immediate environment,” he cited.

According to him, a shoemaker who inherited the craft from previous generations could produce quality footwear but remain disconnected from potential buyers in other African countries because of limited access to markets and distribution networks.

“Technology-driven logistics systems, efficient payment platforms and supportive policies were needed to make cross-border trade easier for businesses,” he added.

Shuaib also cited the case of a footwear manufacturer operating in a free trade zone who had products worth more than N300m for the domestic market but was considering exporting some of them because of declining purchasing power among Nigerian consumers.

“The situation underscored the need for businesses to explore markets beyond Nigeria and take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he noted.

“Our aim was to create a common platform for government officials, policymakers, academics, investors and technology experts to develop practical approaches to economic development,” he stressed.

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The director disclosed that the programme included masterclasses and workshops to equip small and medium-scale enterprises with the skills to use technology to improve their operations and access markets across borders.

Other activities included investor engagements, startup showcases, exhibitions and an innovation challenge through which promising solutions could attract investments from the foundation and its partners.

On the challenges facing technology development in Nigeria, Shuaib acknowledged existing difficulties but said the foundation was focused on bringing together the institutions and individuals capable of addressing them.

“We established a follow-up framework to monitor recommendations from the conference and encourage their implementation, stressing that the event should produce practical outcomes beyond discussions,” he added.

Shuaib disclosed that five African countries had expressed interest in hosting future editions of the conference, including Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya.

In his remarks, the representative of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, the Sarkin Sudan, described Kano as a historic centre of commerce, industry, technology and culture, saying its commercial heritage made it an appropriate location for discussions on Africa’s economic future.

“I’m urging the participants to turn the opportunities created by the conference into lasting partnerships, investments and initiatives that would benefit communities.

“I’m also encouraging visitors to patronise Kano’s markets and businesses to ensure that residents benefit economically from the event,” Aliyu urged.

Our correspondent reports that the Global Tech Africa Conference 2026 is being held in Kano from November 3 to 5, bringing together stakeholders to discuss technology adoption, industrialisation, investment and economic integration across Africa.