The Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, an emergency initiative designed to support budgeted programmes and interventions at the state level, targets existing and newly emerging vulnerable and poor households, agricultural value chains, and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) affected by the economic crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NG-CARES operates as a Programme for Results (PforR) Intervention, where states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) invest resources, produce results in line with agreed protocols, and are subsequently reimbursed by the Federal Government following an Independent Verification Exercise. Following an Independent Verification Assessment (IVA) in January 2024, the Federal Government reimbursed Katsina State N15,455,420,486.35.

In December 2023, His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, invested N2 billion into the Programme, leading the state to earn the reimbursement amount. The KT-CARES Programme is implementing six Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) across three result areas: the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), FADAMA, and the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA).

Programme Beneficiaries:

- CSDA: Supported 9,316 beneficiaries with livelihood support and 449,756 direct beneficiaries on micro projects across education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and flood and erosion sectors.

- FADAMA: Supported 7,820 farmers with agricultural inputs and services, such as fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, small ruminants, fingerlings, and poultry chicks. Additionally, 15,980 farmers received agricultural assets, including power tillers, groundnut grinding machines, vegetable processing machines, hammer millers, and threshers.

- KASEDA: Supported 3,696 firms with operational support grants and 139 firms with IT enhancement tools, such as POS machines, laptops, MTN Mifi/Wifi routers, smartphones, and mini solar inverters.

The KT-CARES Programme, through its implementing agencies, plans to reach more beneficiaries across the state in 2024. Governor Radda has approved the reinvestment of more resources to secure further returns through the KT-CARES initiative.