Otti Woos Investors as Abia Hosts High-Level Business Roundtable to Drive Economic Growth

The Abia State Government on Thursday hosted the Abia Business Roundtable 2026, a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration between government and the organised private sector to attract investment and accelerate economic growth in the state.

The forum, themed “Government Meets Business: Where Vision Meets Enterprise,” brought together captains of industry, development partners, financial institutions and key stakeholders across critical sectors of the economy.

Governor Dr. Alex Otti, who chaired the event at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, said the roundtable was designed to ensure that government policies reflect the needs and expectations of private sector stakeholders.

Speaking on the theme “Opportunities, Partnership and Prosperity,” the governor reaffirmed that Abia is open for business, adding that insights from breakout sessions and panel discussions would help shape future government policies.

According to him, the goal is to develop policies that align with the genuine expectations of investors and create a favourable environment for businesses to thrive.

Governor Otti explained that his administration has deliberately taken steps to rebuild the state’s economic foundation in order to restore investor confidence and attract private capital.

While noting the ongoing global debate on the role of government in economic management, Otti said his administration has adopted a pragmatic approach that prioritises incentives, infrastructure development and economic stability rather than direct government control of businesses.

He said the government’s responsibility is to create a system that protects investors and guarantees long-term stability.

“At any rate, we hold strongly to the view that there is a clear role for government in business, but we are reluctant to agree that it is the obligation of government to directly run businesses,” he stated.

The governor disclosed that upon assumption of office, his administration identified poor road infrastructure, insecurity, unreliable power supply and multiple taxation as major challenges discouraging private sector investment.

To address these issues, he said the state committed over 80 per cent of its annual budgets in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to capital projects, particularly road infrastructure.

Otti also revealed that the government introduced a six-month tax holiday for small businesses to ease operational burdens and encourage enterprise development.

He added that the prompt payment of workers and contractors remains a deliberate strategy to stimulate economic activity within the state.

The governor further announced that the state executive council recently identified real estate, solid minerals, hospitality and information and communication technology (ICT) as key growth areas, while also expressing strong interest in manufacturing and agriculture, especially value-addition across cultivation, storage, processing and export chains.

He assured investors that the government would continue to deepen infrastructure development and human capital investment while encouraging them to work closely with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Investment Promotion Office for seamless collaboration.

In her goodwill message, former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Mrs. Nonye Rajis-Okpara, commended Governor Otti’s leadership and credibility, recalling his role in strengthening investor confidence during his banking career.

She pledged to leverage her international networks to attract investors to Abia, particularly in mechanised agriculture and agro-processing, to support job creation and sustainable economic growth.

Also speaking, the National Team Lead of the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuoke, said the organisation has developed a Guide to Accessing Climate Finance to help governments and eco-friendly businesses secure global climate funding.

He revealed that Abia has already conducted a climate finance readiness assessment and matched five businesses with potential investors, positioning the state as a leader in green initiatives such as e-mobility.

Representing the Aba business community, Chief David Ogba-Onuoha commended the state government for fostering stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.

He noted that ongoing infrastructure development and reforms have demonstrated that Abia is ready for investment, urging the government to focus more on industrial clusters, technology-driven enterprises and modern infrastructure to unlock Aba’s potential as a manufacturing and innovation hub in West Africa.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the PPP and Investment Promotion Office, Mr. Chinedum Chijioke, described the roundtable as a practical platform for refining policies, removing barriers and building long-term partnerships that will drive shared prosperity.

He assured investors that the office would work to mitigate risks, streamline approvals and strengthen investor support to ensure successful project delivery.

The Abia Business Roundtable 2026 also featured sector-focused breakout sessions and an interactive question-and-answer session with Governor Otti.