Nigerian non-interest lender Jaiz Bank has opened another branch in Kastina State, in the northern part of the country, increasing its number of branches to 10.

Jaiz, which established Islamic banking in 2003 before it was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate as a regional Bank (in 2011),  began operations in Nigeria with three branches in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano states.

Speaking at the commissioning of the bank’s latest branch, Kastina state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, said “Katsina State Government is ready to partner and support Jaiz bank and other financial institutions that are ready to invest in the real sector of the economy, to enable the state attain greater economic prosperity.”

“There is no doubt that the people of Katsina and many other parts of Nigeria have been agitating for a financial service provider that operates based on rules of commerce and trade, in accordance with Sharia Principles.”

Jaiz Bank chairman, Board of Directors, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, in his address thanked the state Governor and promised that the bank will help develop the real sector of the economy of the state.

“Our vision is to be the dominant non-interest financial service provider in sub Saharan Africa. We intend to achieve this by providing innovative, value-added, non-interest financial services to our clientele by employing the best people, supported by technology.”

“Our overall objective is to be at every state capital of Nigeria before the fifth year of our operation,” Mutallab said.

The Islamic bank plans to establish additional branches in Bauchi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Jigawa States as well as open additional branches at Bayero University Kano, federal secretariat Abuja and Zaria, before end of the year.