Key points
- Delta State says 25 prospective investors from Brazil and China have indicated interest in its Investment and Economic Summit.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have confirmed attendance.
- The state will showcase investment opportunities across agriculture, power, manufacturing, oil and gas, and the blue economy.
- The summit will feature investor matchmaking and project site visits to facilitate business partnerships.
Main story
The Delta State Government says 25 prospective investors from Brazil and China have indicated interest in participating in its forthcoming Investment and Economic Summit aimed at attracting local and foreign investments into the state.
Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Kingsley Emu, disclosed this during an interactive stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba on Monday.
Emu said Vice President Kashim Shettima and Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had also confirmed their participation alongside senior government officials, development finance institutions and private sector leaders.
He said the summit, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths and Potential,” is designed to connect investors with viable business opportunities across key sectors of the state’s economy.
According to Emu, Delta will present bankable investment opportunities rather than promotional pitches, with priority sectors including agriculture, aquaculture, manufacturing, power, oil and gas, the blue economy and solid minerals.
He said foreign investors had already expressed interest in partnering with credible indigenous businesses, adding that such collaborations would support sustainable economic development.
Emu identified aquaculture, agricultural value chains, power generation and manufacturing among sectors with strong investment potential, noting that the state was leveraging its natural resources, strategic location, skilled workforce and expanding infrastructure to attract investors.
He said the summit would include investment matchmaking sessions, sector-focused engagements, project site visits and structured follow-up meetings aimed at converting investor interest into tangible projects.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Amb. Janet Olisa pledged the organised private sector’s support for the state’s efforts to attract investment and create jobs.
The issues
Like many sub-national governments, Delta State is seeking to diversify its economy beyond crude oil by attracting private investment into productive sectors. The state sees agriculture, aquaculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and other non-oil industries as key drivers of job creation, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth. The summit forms part of its strategy to position Delta as a preferred investment destination by connecting investors with commercially viable opportunities.
What’s being said
“It is going to be a star-studded programme, with participation from the national level, development finance institutions and a host of others.” — Dr. Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the Delta State Government
“The preferred model for us is the mini-grid because the national grid has become a major challenge.” — Dr. Kingsley Emu
What’s next
The Delta Investment and Economic Summit will bring together government officials, development partners and investors for business matchmaking, sector-specific discussions and project visits aimed at translating investment commitments into bankable projects.
Bottom line
Delta State is courting both local and foreign investors through its upcoming economic summit, betting on strategic partnerships and sector-focused investment opportunities to diversify its economy and drive long-term growth.
