Transport Sector
With an average growth rate of 15.2% in 2022, the transportation sector of the Nigerian economy stood as one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy with huge investment potential. The location of Yobe State in the northeast of the country plus its strategic borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and four (4) Nigerian States makes the state a major cross-roads center.
There are over 3000 km of tarred roads traversing the state, while there are road linkages with all neighboring states. Virtually all the 27 Local Governments Headquarters and several other small towns are well-connected by good road networks.
Damaturu is essentially accessible to all states and Local Government areas of the country by highways. The neighboring countries of Niger which is a route to North Africa and subsequently to Europe can also be reached by road. Cameroon and Chad’s republics are also accessible by roads as well as the Central African Republic and beyond.
The Yobe State Government has shown a great commitment to improving the transport systems in the state, through constant improvement of roads within the state capital Damaturu and other major roads leading in and out of the state capital. Yobe State has a modern road infrastructure that will improve investor’s ability to access regional markets in northern Nigeria and cross-border trade. The Federal government is currently remodeling and expanding the Damaturu International Airport to become one of the largest airports in the country and suitable for both cargo and passengers.
Investment Opportunities
As Yobe State strives to provide commuters with safe, reliable, and affordable options to travel, prospective investors are encouraged to invest in the road and light rail transport sector. With the recent signing of Constitution Amendment Bills into Law, Railways have moved from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, meaning that any state that is capable is now constitutionally guaranteed to build its own railway transport system.
In the short-medium term, an estimated 500-1,000 long buses would be required to provide an efficient and effective transportation system for the State. These would serve an estimated 4 million daily commuters within the State. Over the longer term, the potentials are higher due largely to a large and growing population and huge commercial activities.
The State will welcome private investments in the following areas:
· Establishment of a light rail connecting the major towns in Born state; (with Damaturu as a hub) under a PPP arrangement.
· Tapping the potential of the rail infrastructure within the Yobe metropolis. The government will welcome private sector investment in the development of an urban rail transit system.
· Development of multi-purpose facility parks, that will include weight bridges.
· Urban and Inter State Bus Services with modern communication systems.
· Jumbo jets can be procured for the operation of local plane services at the Damaturu International Airport.
· Tricycle manufacturing and Assembly Plant
One of the most common means of transportation in Yobe State, particularly Damaturu, is tricycles. Foreign investors can establish a large-scale tricycle manufacturing and assembly plant in the state for people within and in other parts of the country.
Incentives and Government Support
Government welcomes the participation and is willing to collaborate deeply with the private sector in the provision of transport services and will provide support in matters of loan guaranty, Provision of adequate lands, regulation, and law enforcement.