Dar Al-Halal's engagement with Katsina and a new phase for Islamic finance @Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
After the curtains closed on the Katsina Economic & Investment Summit 2025, one question naturally followed: What has really changed since the summit ended? The answer is now taking shape in concrete partnerships, financing commitments, and implementation plans -- none more significant than the growing collaboration between Dar Al-Halal Group and the Katsina State Government.
Revisiting the summit presentations, the Chairman of Dar Al-Halal Group, Dikko Ladan, outlined why the company is committing major capital and technical expertise to Katsina State. The chairman made it clear that Dar Al-Halal is not offering speeches or symbolic interest, but practical investment in agriculture, Islamic finance, and large-scale land development.
"Katsina is now a place where investment is real, practical, and backed by deliberate government policy," he stated. Below are the 10 key takeaways from Dar Al-Halal's engagement with Katsina:
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1. Partnership anchored in agriculture and land transformation Dar Al-Halal emphasized that agricultural transformation is central to its partnership with Katsina State. The group highlighted plans for: large-scale primary production modern mechanized farming expansion of irrigation-based cultivation Agriculture is being repositioned not just as subsistence activity, but as a commercial driver of jobs, revenue, and exports.
2. From summit speeches to structured partnership framework The engagement moved beyond conference statements and entered the phase of structured collaboration. Dar Al-Halal outlined: joint project design shared implementation responsibility government-private sector co-ownership "Our emphasis is partnership, not protocol," Mr Ladan noted.
3. Desert-to-Greenland projects enter planning stage One of the boldest outcomes is the desert-to-greenland initiative planned for Katsina. Dar Al-Halal previously signed an MoU with the Egyptian Authority for Sustainable Development, whose model converted millions of hectares of desert into green farmland. Katsina is now preparing to replicate this success through: land reclamation phased cultivation climate-smart irrigation
4. Modular farming system adopted Instead of rushing into massive land conversion, Dar Al-Halal proposed a modular farming system: develop land in phases prove productivity then expand systematically This approach reduces risk while guaranteeing measurable progress.
5. Islamic finance expansion placed on the agenda Another key summit outcome is the plan to expand Islamic finance architecture across Katsina State. Dar Al-Halal committed to supporting: Sukuk-style funding Sharia-compliant investment instruments interest-free financing options This will deepen access to capital while aligning with community preferences.
6. Seed capital before secondary investors Dar Al-Halal announced that it will deploy its own investment first before inviting others. This signals: seriousness confidence long-term commitment It also sends a message to other investors that Katsina is worth backing.
7. Youth employment and skills development prioritized The post-summit engagement placed young people and rural families at the center of new projects. Benefits include: farm-to-industry jobs agribusiness entrepreneurship technical and vocational training Agriculture is being treated not just as land -- but as livelihood transformation.
8. Confidence in Katsina's leadership and stability Alhaji Ladan stressed that investment confidence is rooted in Governor Radda's reform direction. He cited: improved security environment policy stability supportive regulatory frameworks "There is leadership certainty in Katsina," he observed. This stability reassures large-scale investors.
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9. Multi-sector commitment beyond agriculture Dar Al-Halal operates across several strategic sectors: healthcare venture capital e-commerce and technology food production and processing lifestyle and leisure services media and communications This positions Katsina to benefit from diversified investment inflows, not agriculture alone.
10. From summit hall to implementation phase The clearest message is that partnership has moved from conversation to coordination. The administration is already aligning: land development plans irrigation systems enabling infrastructure Investor confidence is now being converted into projects From summit promises to real projects Katsina is moving from being only naturally endowed to being deliberately investment-ready.
The Dar Al-Halal partnership represents: clearer policy direction renewed private-sector confidence modern, climate-smart agriculture stronger Islamic finance ecosystem job creation and rural upliftment The journey has shifted: from speeches to strategy to implementation.
