Abia targets seven sectors to boost industrialisation

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has highlighted seven key sectors that the state aims to boost to attract investments and foster industrialization, as announced during the Meet the Governor Series of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce in Lagos. These sectors are agribusiness and agro-processing, trade and markets, creative and digital economy, manufacturing and industrialization, small and medium enterprise growth, inclusive finance and diaspora investment, and innovation.

The governor emphasized that over the past 39 months, his administration has been focused on removing obstacles to productivity and promoting value creation, with the aim of making the state more appealing to investors. The 2026 budget for Abia, projected at N1.016 trillion, allocates 80% to capital expenditure, which the governor described as the highest per-resident capital spending in Nigeria.

The state's projected internally generated revenue of N223.4 billion is expected to cover recurrent expenditure, and Abia is ranked fourth in the BudgIT States Fiscal Transparency League for fiscal transparency in Q4 2025. The governor also highlighted the state's efforts in infrastructure development, with 414 roads completed and 82 under construction, and the installation of over 10,000 solar-powered streetlights in key cities.

Otti pointed to specific investment opportunities in agribusiness, such as livestock ranching, dairy, cashew, cocoa, and rubber, as well as in industrial sectors like garment manufacturing, ceramics, and leather works. He also mentioned the potential of Enyimba Hotels and Ibom Waterfall as tourism opportunities. Furthermore, the governor noted the return of businesses to Abia due to reduced transport, rental, and security costs, as well as a growing population and increased public spending driving consumer demand.

The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce President, Abimbola Olashore, stressed the importance of predictable policies, functional institutions, and quality infrastructure from the government, while emphasizing the private sector's role in providing capital and expertise.