AFRICANDO 2026: Abia unveils plans to attract foreign investors

From **Okey Sampson, **Umuahia

The Abia State Government said it has rolled out plans to attract American and other foreign investors to the state through the 2026 edition of the African Diaspora Conference and Expo (AFRICANDO), scheduled for Umuahia, the state capital, from November 17–19.

The Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Alex Otti, Caleb Ajagba, who made the disclosure during a media chat with newsmen, said the conference is expected to bring together investors, business leaders, policymakers, development partners, diplomatic representatives, and entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities and strengthen commercial relations between Africa and the United States.

Ajagba described AFRICANDO as a platform for translating international economic engagement into concrete investments and commercial partnerships, adding that the state government was working with the organisers to ensure that the conference went beyond speeches and networking to facilitate transactions, business agreements, and sustainable investment.

He said the 2026 edition, with the theme, “Deepening U.S.–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA,” would connect investment opportunities in Abia and other African markets with American capital, technology, expertise, and international distribution networks.

The CoS stated that the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, presents opportunities for African businesses to expand beyond their domestic markets, while international partnerships could help them improve production capacity and competitiveness.

Ajagba revealed that Abia was strategically positioned to benefit from the initiative because of its manufacturing and entrepreneurial base, particularly in Aba, which is known for indigenous manufacturing, commerce, and craftsmanship. He said the Otti administration was investing in infrastructure, strengthening public institutions, and improving the business environment to position the state as a destination for private investment.

Ajagba said international delegates and prospective investors would be encouraged not only to attend conference sessions but, also, to visit strategic economic locations, manufacturing clusters, enterprises, and government-backed projects to assess investment opportunities firsthand.

This, he said, was meant to give participants practical understanding of the state’s economic potential and create opportunities for direct engagement with local businesses and relevant government agencies.

“AFRICANDO 2026 is not exclusively an Abia event. It is an international economic platform being hosted in Abia State” .

He listed agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, transportation and logistics, science and technology, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies among the sectors expected to receive attention.

A major feature of the conference, according to Ajagba, would be a structured Deal Room and Investment Marketplace where investment-ready projects from Abia and participating businesses would be presented to prospective investors.

He called on American businesses, African governments, development institutions, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, diaspora organisations, and the media to participate in the event.

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