Igbo traders must move beyond Chinese competition – Otti

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has urged Igbo traders to shift their focus from traditional commerce to manufacturing and digital commerce. Speaking at the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner, Otti highlighted the need for Abia and Ndigbo to transition from conventional trading to digital commerce, in response to the increasing competition from Chinese traders in Lagos.

Otti emphasized that Abia, like other regions, historically known for trading, was moving away from physical stores to digital platforms. The governor stressed that the government was supporting manufacturing and digital delivery, encouraging the move beyond conventional marketing. Otti also mentioned the administration's investments in digital skills for young people, noting that some Abians were already working for global tech companies.

He described the theme of the celebration, "Unity is Supreme," as reflective of the importance of unity in diversity, and assured the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General of his administration's support for the development of Abia state.