In a strategic effort to drive inclusive economic development and enhance trade in Northern Nigeria, the Zamfara State Investment and Property Development Company Limited (ZSIPDCL) has entered into a collaborative agreement with Duchess Marketplace. The partnership is designed to support the transfer of technology and provide capacity-building opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) throughout the state.
This landmark agreement, led by the Managing Director of ZSIPDCL alongside the Chief Executive Officer of Duchess Naturals Limited, forms a critical part of broader state efforts to attract both local and international investors, expand agro-processing capabilities, and enhance the competitiveness of Zamfara’s entrepreneurs—particularly women and young people—within domestic and global markets.
ZSIPDCL noted that the initiative would catalyze the development of agro-processing hubs across various regions of the state while simultaneously improving access to markets for goods produced in Zamfara. Through this partnership, local entrepreneurs will benefit from tailored trade facilitation support, enabling them to seamlessly engage with both national and international value chains.
The investment agency highlighted the partnership as a clear demonstration of Zamfara’s evolving ambition to become a dynamic hub for enterprise and investment. It views the collaboration as a key instrument for unlocking untapped economic potential and driving job creation across critical sectors of the state’s economy.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Duchess Naturals Limited emphasized the need to establish inclusive and sustainable trade environments. She remarked that by reinforcing value chains and connecting rural producers to expansive market opportunities, the collaboration is poised to contribute significantly to long-term economic resilience and transformation in Zamfara.
This joint venture will concentrate on several core objectives: attracting investments from both domestic and international sources, enhancing logistics and trade-related infrastructure, coordinating trade expos and missions, and delivering customized training programmes to empower MSMEs. The partnership will also promote locally made Zamfara products through both online platforms and physical marketplaces to broaden market reach.
Ultimately, this alliance represents a bold stride towards embedding Zamfara’s small businesses within larger economic ecosystems while advancing the state’s goal of inclusive, innovation-led development.
