KANO — The Managing Director of Halba Foods, Halifa Bala Rabiu, says smuggled imports and difficult access to credit are among the biggest threats facing Nigerian manufacturers.

In an interview with ThisDay, the Kano-based industrialist said imported finished goods, especially smuggled edible oil, undercut products made in the country. He called for stronger border enforcement but said the problem could not be blamed on the government alone, as many parties are involved.

Halba's rice mill in Kano has a capacity of 60 tonnes a day, and its edible oil packaging line 20,000 litres a day. The company plans to introduce 500g and 1kg rice packs for low-income buyers, and is considering maize flour, instant noodles and drinks with foreign partners, as well as exports to neighbouring countries such as Niger.

On financing, Rabiu said banks rely too heavily on collateral. If a business already had collateral worth N1 billion to secure a N600 million loan, he argued, it would hardly need the loan in the first place.