By Aliyu Usman
The Bureau News | Nigeria News Today
Birnin Kebbi | January 20, 2025
The 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival is attracting growing international attention as foreign investors from Europe and Asia signal strong interest in Kebbi State, The Bureau News reports.
In preparation for the anticipated influx, the Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA) has commenced engagements with hotel owners and key players in the hospitality industry to upgrade facilities ahead of the festival.
Director-General of the Agency, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Kamba, disclosed this while outlining the agency’s readiness to maximise the economic benefits of the festival for the state.
“Foreign investors from Europe and Asia have formally expressed interest in attending the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival,” Dr. Kamba said.
According to him, the investors’ interest followed Governor Nasir Idris’ recent international engagements, during which he invited potential partners to Kebbi State to verify its vast natural resources and explore investment opportunities.
Dr. Kamba revealed that the Governor has directed the agency to liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure a befitting reception for both local and foreign investors.
He said the agency, in collaboration with the festival’s organising committee, will convene meetings with hotel owners and other critical stakeholders to address the renovation of dilapidated facilities and the upgrade of existing structures to acceptable international standards.
The Director-General further explained that arrangements are in place to showcase the state’s agricultural produce, livestock, and solid mineral resources to visiting investors.
He added that a consultative investment forum involving foreign investors, relevant government institutions, and indigenous business communities would be organised to explore modalities for profitable partnerships.
Dr. Kamba clarified that the investors are primarily visiting to assess the quality, quantity, and commercial viability of Kebbi State’s abundant raw materials.
The Argungu Fishing Festival, which was suspended for several years, has been revived under Governor Nasir Idris and is expected to be the most impactful edition yet, following the introduction of new economic empowerment initiatives.
The Governor has also demonstrated commitment to improving the state’s investment climate by assenting to a law authorising the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for residential, commercial, and industrial plots.
The festival’s organising committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, is working to ensure a successful event scheduled to hold between February 11 and February 14, 2026.
The Bureau News reports that the festival is expected to boost tourism, attract foreign direct investment, and generate employment opportunities across Kebbi State.
