Otti woos US investors to Abia

File: Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has concluded plans to bring investors, business leaders, policymakers, development partners, diplomatic representatives and entrepreneurs to the state to explore investment opportunities and strengthen commercial relations between Africa and the United States.

In a statement he signed and issued to newsmen on Sunday, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, disclosed that the Abia State Government had unveiled plans to attract American and other international investors to the state through the 2026 edition of the African Diaspora Conference and Expo, AFRICANDO, scheduled for this month.

Ajagba said, “AFRICANDO is a platform for translating international economic engagement into concrete investments and commercial partnerships. The state government is working with the organisers to ensure that the conference goes beyond speeches and networking to facilitate transactions, business agreements and sustainable investment.”

According to him, the 2026 edition, with the theme, “Deepening U.S.–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA,” would connect investment opportunities in Abia and other African markets with American capital, technology, expertise and international distribution networks.

He added, “The African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, presents opportunities for African businesses to expand beyond their domestic markets, while international partnerships could help them improve production capacity and competitiveness.

“Abia is strategically positioned to benefit from the initiative because of its manufacturing and entrepreneurial base, particularly in Aba, which is known for indigenous manufacturing, commerce and craftsmanship.”

Ajagba added that Otti’s administration “is investing in infrastructure, strengthening public institutions and improving the business environment to position the state as a destination for private investment.”

He explained that international delegates and prospective investors would be encouraged not only to attend conference sessions but also to visit strategic economic locations, manufacturing clusters, enterprises and government-backed projects to assess investment opportunities firsthand.

He said the approach was intended to give participants a practical understanding of the state’s economic potential and create opportunities for direct engagement with local businesses and relevant government agencies.

“AFRICANDO 2026 is not exclusively an Abia event. It is an international economic platform being hosted in Abia State,” he continued.

He listed agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, transportation and logistics, science and technology, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies among the sectors expected to receive attention.

A major feature of the conference, he said, would be a structured Deal Room and Investment Marketplace, where investment-ready projects from Abia and participating businesses would be presented to prospective investors.