NEWS
AfRICANDO 2026: Abia Set to Attract Global Investments, Unlock Trade Opportunities as International Conference Debuts on African Soil
AfRICANDO 2026: Abia Set to Attract Global Investments, Unlock Trade Opportunities as International Conference Debuts on African Soil
Abia State is set to take a major leap onto the global economic stage as the 27th edition of AfRICANDO, an international trade and investment conference, prepares to make its historic debut on African soil, with Umuahia chosen as its host city.
The landmark event, scheduled to hold from Tuesday, November 17 to Thursday 19, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, is expected to attract international investors, development partners, business leaders and other economic stakeholders from Africa, the United States and beyond, opening new opportunities for trade, investment, industrial development and employment generation.
The Chairman of the AfRICANDO 2026 Organising Committee and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD, led experts, international partners and members of the organising committee at a press conference held on Friday, November 13, at Government House, Umuahia, where the economic prospects and strategic benefits of the forthcoming conference were highlighted.
Channel
Speaking at the briefing, President of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa and Chairman of the AGOA Civil Society Organisation, Mr Fred Oladeinde, described the conference as a strategic opportunity to position Abia State as a major destination for international investments and an emerging contributor to the global economy.
He explained that the conference would strengthen Abia’s economic relationships with other countries, connect local businesses to international markets and create opportunities for indigenous manufacturers, entrepreneurs and small and medium-scale enterprises to participate in global supply chains.
Oladeinde disclosed that the organisers were also pursuing the establishment of a permanent campus in Abia State to serve as a centre for professional training, capacity development and economic collaboration. The proposed institution is expected to equip the state’s workforce with the technical and professional skills required to compete in an increasingly interconnected global economy while creating additional employment opportunities.
He further assured that AfRICANDO 2026 would go beyond high-level discussions and networking, with deliberate efforts to translate the relationships established during the conference into practical investments, business partnerships and sustainable economic growth.
The conference will focus on nine critical economic sectors, including agriculture, trade and investment, training, energy, petroleum and tourism, among others, providing a platform for Abia to showcase its competitive advantages and attract investors into areas with significant growth potential.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Dr Okey Alwell Agbara, explained that AfRICANDO would bring together African countries, the United States and other international stakeholders to explore trade opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation.
He traced the conference’s strategic relevance to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), an initiative introduced by the United States Government under President Bill Clinton in 2000 and recently reauthorised, noting that Nigeria had yet to fully maximise the enormous opportunities available under the programme.
Agbara identified the proposed establishment of an African Trade Development Centre (ATDC) as one of the major objectives of the conference, explaining that the centre would help strengthen trade capacity, develop local businesses and connect Nigerian manufacturers with international buyers and markets.
He expressed confidence that Abia could take the lead in ensuring that local industries, entrepreneurs and SMEs benefit meaningfully from AGOA and other international trade opportunities.
Similarly, Chairman of the Abia Global Chamber of Commerce, Mr James Ogbuka Umekwe, said the conference would provide an important platform to maximise the state’s economic potential, showcase locally manufactured products and present Abia’s investment opportunities to the international community.
Umekwe commended Governor Alex Otti for creating an enabling environment capable of attracting investments, stimulating economic activities and reversing the brain drain that has affected Abia State and Nigeria over the years.
He expressed optimism that AfRICANDO would become a sustainable platform for international business engagement, adding that the state was ready to demonstrate its productive capacity and economic opportunities to the world.
In her remarks, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Rev. Ambassador Annie Onu, highlighted the importance of adequate product information and international market visibility for local manufacturers.
She explained that the conference would enable indigenous producers to present their products, explain their benefits and provide relevant information to prospective buyers, particularly members of the diaspora, thereby helping them make informed purchasing decisions and establish meaningful business relationships.
Onu disclosed that the 17 Local Government Areas, as well as various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Abia State Government, had products and economic resources to exhibit during the conference.
She described AfRICANDO 2026 as a valuable opportunity to expose the state’s economic treasures to the international community, connect local producers with global markets and strengthen Abia’s reputation as an emerging investment destination.
She also revealed that the Commission was looking towards organising a homecoming event in December to sustain the momentum generated by the international conference and deepen diaspora participation in the state’s economic development.
Contributing to the discussions, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr Emmanuel Okpechi, and his counterpart on Legal Matters, Barr. Cleopatra Dannie Ubani, appreciated the international partners for choosing Abia as the host state for the historic conference.
They also commended Governor Otti for prioritising economic prosperity through investment attraction, business development and productive economic activities rather than concentrating government efforts solely on revenue generation.
Both advisers noted that Abia possesses enormous economic resources and untapped opportunities which, if properly harnessed, could accelerate industrialisation, expand employment opportunities and improve the living standards of residents.
They expressed optimism that AfRICANDO 2026 would provide the necessary international exposure, partnerships and investment connections to unlock these opportunities.
With the global conference approaching, Abia State is positioning itself to move beyond showcasing its potential to attracting the partnerships, capital, technology and market access required to translate that potential into measurable economic gains.
For Governor Alex Otti’s administration, the hosting of AfRICANDO 2026 represents another strategic opportunity to open Abia to the world, strengthen the state’s investment profile and advance its ambition of building a productive, competitive and globally connected economy.
As international stakeholders prepare to converge on Umuahia, the message is clear: Abia is ready to showcase its opportunities, connect its businesses to the world and c ompete for a greater share of the global economy.
