The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prudent and transparent debt management following the conclusion of a two-day workshop on the State’s Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) and Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) for 2024.
The workshop, held from September 6–7 at B. Nakowa Hotel in Dutse, Jigawa State, was convened by the Kano State Debt Management Office (DMO) in line with the provisions of the Public Debt Management Law, 2021.
In his address, the Director General of the DMO, Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, stressed that debt is not inherently negative but an essential tool for development when prudently managed. He noted that Kano’s debt profile remains within approved fiscal thresholds and hinted at plans by the State Government to launch a Sukuk bond as an innovative and ethical financing option for priority infrastructure projects.
“No modern economy develops without borrowing. What matters is sustainability, prudence, and transparency in managing debt,” Dr. Ali said.
The Commissioner of Finance, while commending the initiative, emphasized that the DSA and MTDS are not merely compliance exercises but crucial tools for guiding borrowing decisions, minimizing risks, and boosting investor confidence.
He explained that aligning the MTDS with the State’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) would ensure coordinated fiscal and debt management to deliver on Kano’s development priorities without compromising financial stability.
The workshop brought together members of the Kano State House of Assembly, senior government officials, technocrats, academia, civil society, and the media. Participants deliberated on issues such as strengthening internally generated revenue (IGR), diversifying financing options, and enhancing transparency in debt management.
Key recommendations from the workshop included:
Conducting the DSA and MTDS annually ahead of the MTEF;
Expanding financing instruments to include Sukuk bonds for infrastructure;
Broadening the IGR base through reforms, digitalization, and plugging leakages;
Enhancing budget planning, reporting, and expenditure control;
Strengthening collaboration with the legislature, civil society, and development partners;
Building stakeholder capacity on debt management and innovative financing.
Participants also called for consistent allocations to the State’s Consolidated Debt Service Account to safeguard fiscal stability and ensure long-term debt sustainability.
At the end of the workshop, stakeholders commended the Kano State Government for its proactive approach and pledged their support for policies that guarantee fiscal responsibility, transparency, and inclusive growth