A major step toward women’s empowerment and sustainable agriculture has emerged in Kano as the Mata Zalla Entrepreneurs Cooperative unveiled 20 electric agro-cargo vehicles in partnership with the UK-funded Propcom+ program.
The groundbreaking initiative, known as Mata Zalla Smart Agro Cargo, is co-financed by Propcom+ under the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It aims to strengthen women’s role in agribusiness, improve rural transportation, and reduce post-harvest losses while promoting green economic growth across northern Nigeria.
At the launch event in Karfi, Kura Local Government Area, the Country Representative of Propcom+, Dr Adiya Ode, described the project as “electric momentum for women-led economic transformation.” Represented by Ahmad Nuru, Dr Ode said the intervention expands on previous UK-funded efforts under the LINKS program, which helped the cooperative introduce 100 electric tricycles in Kano through financing from The Alternative Bank.
“These vehicles, alongside the solar-powered charging station and logistics hub, are pathways to prosperity, climate resilience, and inclusive growth,” she said.
President of the Mata Zalla Cooperative, Hajiya Hauwa Ahmed, hailed the project as a milestone in driving women-led innovation in agriculture and clean energy. She explained that the vehicles and supporting infrastructure will enhance farmers’ access to markets through efficient and affordable logistics systems.
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According to her, the cooperative’s new assets include a 55-kilowatt solar-powered charging station, eight electric bikes, four refrigerated carriers, four open cargo tricycles, and four four-wheeled cargo vehicles, all tailored to serve different farm operations.
Kano State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, who inaugurated the vehicles, praised the initiative for merging women’s empowerment with environmental sustainability. He pledged the government’s continued support, noting plans to establish more charging centres to expand clean mobility.
“This is not just about empowering women; it’s about reducing emissions and building a sustainable economy,” Dr Hashim stated.
The Mata Zalla Smart Agro Cargo initiative marks a new chapter in Kano’s efforts to advance green innovation, rural livelihoods, and gender-inclusive development through renewable technology and climate-smart agriculture.
