The Kano state government has handed over 150 hectares of land to Dangote Group for the development of its $150m Dangote/Black Rhino solar power plant in Zakirai, Gabasawa local government area of the state.

Bello Danmusa, managing director, stakeholder management, Dangote Group received the land on behalf of the business group

The land is for the provision of 100 megawatts of the solar power plant and is expected to be completed within two years.

The Kano state government and Dangote group last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the provision of 100 megawatts of solar energy in the state.

Mansur Ahmed, the executive director, Dangote Group, said they were developing a robust community engagement plan for the project and that it would be jointly funded by the company’s partners from the United States.

Ahmed said the project was meant to improve the economy of Kano State, one of the largest centres of commerce in sub-Saharan Africa.

“It would convert the abundant energy of the sun into high-quality clean electricity,” he said.