Otti Urges Nigerians To Explore Business Opportunities At Oncoming AFRICANDO ’26, Aba International Trade Fair

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has called on Nigerians to take advantage of the forthcoming AFRICANDO 2026, the US–Africa Trade and Investment Conference and Expo, as well as the 2026 Aba International Trade Fair to establish valuable business connections and explore investment opportunities.

The investment expo, tagged “AFRICANDO 2026”, is scheduled for November 17 to November 19, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

According to the Abia State Government, organisers of the event, AFRICANDO will be held under the theme, “Deepening US–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA”.

However, the 2026 Aba International Trade Fair and Exhibition will take place from November 27 to December 6 at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

Speaking in Umuahia, Otti described the two events as strategic platforms through which Abia businesses, manufacturers and entrepreneurs could connect to the world, adding that they would use the platforms to link with some international investors, access new markets and attract partnerships capable of stimulating economic growth.

According to him, the business events were part of his administration’s efforts to create an enabling business environment and bring investment opportunities closer to the people.

“It is a gathering of Africans, Americans and Nigerians. And the whole idea is to bring everybody together and create opportunities that hitherto did not exist.

“So people should live here and be able to make those kinds of contacts that they ordinarily would have travelled to make, and that is why it becomes critical when we are talking about creating an enabling environment.

“You can see many events happening in Aba and Umuahia. The International Trade Fair will also be happening in December. I know that towards the end of the year, it is going to be intense and full of activities, so we need to prepare ourselves”, he declared.

The governor averred that the AFRICANDO 2026 conference is expected to bring together African and American businesses, governments, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and institutions to explore opportunities for trade, investment, business partnerships and market access.

The major objective of the conference, he stressed, is to connect the entrepreneurial capacity of Aba and other parts of Abia with international markets, moving from the traditional “Made in Aba” identity to “Made in Abia for the World.”

Daily Independent in Umuahia learnt that AFRICANDO 2026 is expected to position Umuahia as a meeting point for enterprise, capital, innovation and international business cooperation, with the broader objective of translating commercial relationships between Africa and the United States into jobs, prosperity and sustainable economic development.

The conference, the organisers insist, will provide opportunities for local manufacturers and small and medium-scale enterprises to access capital, modern production technology, internationally recognised standards, improved packaging and branding, export knowledge and international distribution networks.

“Unlike conventional conferences, AFRICANDO 2026 is expected to be transaction-driven, with emphasis on business deals, partnerships, investments and market access”, Chief of Staff to the governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, clarified.

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