Move beyond Chinese competition, Otti urges Igbo traders

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has advised Igbo entrepreneurs to move beyond conventional trading and embrace manufacturing and digital commerce to remain competitive in the global market.

Otti made the call in Umuahia at the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

With the theme, “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo”, the event provided an opportunity for discussions on the economic and social development of the Southeast region.

The governor said Abia and the wider Igbo community, traditionally recognised for their entrepreneurial and trading activities, were now shifting towards manufacturing and technology-driven commerce.

Addressing concerns over the growing presence of Chinese traders in Nigeria, particularly their competition with Igbo retailers in Lagos, Otti said the way forward was for Igbo entrepreneurs to move into higher-value areas of the economy.

“We are leaving that level of trading. In Abia, we have markets. The markets are important. But we are moving from that level of marketing to manufacturing.

“So, this government is supporting manufacturing and driving digital delivery. We are leaving that physical store for digital delivery. So, when somebody talks about Alibaba, that is exactly where we are headed,” he said.

Otti said digital commerce would give Abia businesses access to markets beyond Nigeria and enable them to compete internationally.

“So, why are the Chinese coming to compete with us? We are moving away from there. And it’s going to start in Abia. So, Abia is both manufacturing and trading. But we are moving from conventional trading to digital trading. That is where the world is going. You either embrace it, or you risk being left behind,” the governor said.

He said his administration was also investing in digital skills development for young people through initiatives designed to prepare them for opportunities in the global technology sector. He said some young Abians trained under the state’s TechRise programme were already working remotely for global technology companies from Aba.

Otti also pledged his administration’s support for the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and described the theme of the celebration, “Njiko Ka”, meaning “Unity is Supreme”, as appropriate.

He said the theme underscored the importance of unity among the Igbo people, particularly in advancing the development of the South East.

The governor said his administration had laid a strong foundation for the transformation of Abia, assuring residents that the state would continue to record significant development.

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