Region
Kwara
Nigeria

Sector
Media

Summary:

The Kwara State is seeking investors to establish a radio station and a printing facility. Interested investors would benefit from the reforms in the media industry, which are aimed at providing a better investment and regulatory climate.

Contact
TradeInvestNigeria

Email
infonigeria@gan.co.za

Investment opportunity: Radio Station

Summary: The Kwara State Government is looking for the private sector to establish a radio station for the effective broadcasting of information and the mobilisation of the people. There are only two radio stations – Radio Kwara and Okin FM Rado – presenting a huge gap for more stations. The project will involve the planning, installation and operation of the radio station.

Sub-sector: Radio is Nigeria’s most popular form of media and boasts more than 85 state-owned regional and local stations, and 21 private regional and local stations. The country has one community not-for-profit station, run on an experimental base. The government’s Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)continues to dominate, and has the only national broadcast licence. Most stations source news from the FRCN. Radio programming is largely in English, presenting opportunities for local-language programming. The high costs of seeking a licence, which can range up to $150 000, have significantly limited the growth of smaller-scale independent and community radio operations. One of the challenges facing the media industry is the inability to determine audience sizes or the size of potential markets, which limits the capacity of advertiser to effectively target consumers. However, there are steps being taken to free up broadcast frequencies, digitise content and improve on distribution.


Investment opportunity: Printing facility

Summary: The Kwara State Government is offering interested parties the opportunity to invest in a printing facility to meet the information needs of the people. The project will involve the planning, design, construction, installation and operation of the printing press.

Sub-sector: Printing in Nigeria is costly because almost all equipment and inputs are imported.  Consequently, the industry is sensitive to the depreciation of the naira, but it is benefiting from increasing demand for services, transfer of technology and funding of relevant research institutions aimed at boosting the sector, and better skilled workers. But companies say further investment is needed to replace the second-hand equipment that most printers use and which cannot be replaced.


Incentives: Easy access to land, loans, tax breaks, and provision essential infrastructure.