Borno Economic Growth: Zulum Woos AfDB Support…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for deeper collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to help the state move from post-conflict recovery to sustained economic growth.

Key Highlights

• Governor Babagana Zulum seeks deeper AfDB collaboration to move Borno beyond post-conflict recovery.
• Discussions focused on agriculture, agro-industrialisation, livestock, irrigation and water infrastructure.
• Borno identified renewable energy, healthcare, transportation and youth employment as priority sectors.
• Lake Chad Basin investment was highlighted as a pathway to jobs, livelihoods and regional stability.
• AfDB could support project development, funding mobilisation and stronger institutional capacity.

Zulum made the appeal during a high-level meeting with the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The governor was accompanied by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, as both sides explored opportunities for strategic investments that could strengthen Borno’s economy and improve its resilience.

Discussions centred on expanding the existing relationship between Borno State and the AfDB, which has supported several recovery and development programmes in the state.

Since taking office on September 1, 2025, Ould Tah has visited Maiduguri twice. The Borno Government said the visits reflected the development bank’s continued support for the state’s recovery efforts.

During the meeting, Zulum said Borno was gradually transitioning from reconstruction and recovery towards a broader phase of sustainable economic development.

He stressed that the state needed development partners willing to support its long-term vision and help create an economy capable of providing opportunities for its residents.

“Our partnership with the African Development Bank is not just about funding projects, it is about building a future where Borno can stand on its own, where our people can farm, trade and live without fear,” Zulum said.

The areas discussed during the engagement included climate-smart agriculture, agro-industrial development, livestock production, modern ranching, irrigation and water infrastructure.

Other sectors identified for potential collaboration were renewable energy, healthcare, transportation, youth employment and enterprise development.

The governor also highlighted the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in attracting private capital into major economic and infrastructure projects across the state.

The Lake Chad Basin received particular attention during the discussions, with agriculture, fisheries, livestock, renewable energy, agro-processing and cross-border trade identified as sectors with significant potential.

Zulum said investment in the Lake Chad region could create jobs, strengthen livelihoods and support efforts to restore peace and stability in communities affected by years of conflict.

“Lake Chad Basin holds enormous promise for our people, and for our neighbours across the region,” he said.

“If we invest properly in agriculture, fisheries and clean energy there, we will not only rebuild livelihoods, we will restore hope and stability to communities that have suffered for far too long.”

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The two sides also considered ways the AfDB could assist Borno in developing and structuring priority projects to make them more attractive to investors and financial institutions.

Such support could include improving project bankability, mobilising funding and strengthening the institutional capacity required for effective implementation.

The Borno Government said the engagement formed part of its wider efforts to attract strategic investments, unlock the state’s economic potential, generate sustainable employment and improve living conditions for residents.

The state also commended the African Development Bank for its continued interest in Borno and acknowledged the contribution of Minister Bagudu towards strengthening cooperation between the state government, Federal Government and international development institutions.

As part of the continued engagement, AfDB President Ould Tah invited Governor Zulum and members of his delegation to Mauritania in December 2026.

The proposed visit is expected to provide an opportunity for further discussions on areas of cooperation involving Borno State, Nigeria and the African Development Bank.