Abia State Government says it will host the 2026 edition of AFRICANDO, a U.S.–Africa Trade and Investment Conference and Expo, with a focus on attracting investments, expanding market access and connecting local enterprises with global capital.

The three-day international conference, scheduled for Nov. 17–19 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, will be held under the theme: “Deepening U.S.–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA.”

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, disclosed this at a press conference in Umuahia to formally unveil the event.
Sir Ajagba said the conference, organised by the Abia Diaspora Commission in partnership with the Foundation for Democracy in Africa and the Global Chamber of Commerce, would provide a platform for African businesses, governments and entrepreneurs to engage investors, policymakers, institutions and businesses from the United States and other international markets.

He said AFRICANDO 2026 was designed to move beyond discussions on trade promotion to actual transactions, investments and sustainable commercial partnerships.“AFRICANDO 2026 will not be another conference where speeches are made, photographs are taken and participants depart without measurable outcomes.
“The emphasis will be on deals, partnerships, investments and market access,” he said.

According to him, businesses seeking capital will have opportunities to meet investors, while manufacturers seeking international markets will connect with distributors and buyers.
He added that investors looking for viable opportunities would be presented with credible projects, while governments and development institutions would have opportunities to establish strategic partnerships.

Sir Ajagba said hosting the conference in Abia was strategic, given the state’s prominent position in Nigeria’s manufacturing and entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly the industrial and commercial strength of Aba.
He said the administration of Gov. Alex Otti had embarked on programmes aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, strengthening institutions, improving the business environment and repositioning the state as a destination for private capital.
“Our objective is to demonstrate that sub-national governments can become active partners in international trade, investment promotion and economic diplomacy,” he said.

The Chief of Staff said AFRICANDO would seek to transform the narrative around locally manufactured products by connecting the entrepreneurial energy of Aba and Abia with international markets.
He identified access to capital, modern technology, internationally recognised standards, improved packaging and branding, export knowledge, distribution networks and sustainable access to global markets as critical areas requiring attention.

He said the event would focus on agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, transportation and logistics, academic science and technology, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
The COS  disclosed that participants were expected from the United States, Anglophone African countries, the Caribbean and other parts of the world, adding that Nigeria had been selected as a hub, while Abia would serve as the Anglophone hub for West Africa.He therefore urged entrepreneurs and businesses to participate actively, stressing that AFRICANDO 2026 was an international trade conference and not merely a conventional trade fair.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the conference would provide Abia with an important platform to showcase its economic opportunities, locally made products and entrepreneurial strength to investors from Africa and beyond.
Kanu said the event would promote trade, cultural exchange and economic cooperation, while strengthening the state’s relationship with the international business community and creating new opportunities for local businesses.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Rev. Mrs Annie Onu, described AFRICANDO as a unique initiative aimed at bringing Africans together for economic development and mutual cooperation.
Lady Onu said the conference would enable participating countries to understand Abia’s economic and cultural strengths while allowing the state to benefit from ideas, expertise and opportunities available across Africa.
“AFRICANDO is a unique investment that will unite Africans, not only Nigeria. It will encourage other African countries coming to our state to see what Abia has and what God has blessed us with, while we also learn from them,” she said.

She added that the event would also promote Abia’s rich cultural heritage and showcase the achievements of the Otti administration.
A major component of AFRICANDO 2026 will be a structured Deal Room and Investment Marketplace where investment-ready opportunities from Abia and participating businesses will be presented to prospective investors.

The conference is also expected to feature high-level plenary sessions, sector-specific workshops and roundtables, exhibitions, business matchmaking, B2B meetings, investor engagements, policy dialogue, project pitching, site visits and opportunities for the signing of memoranda of understanding and commercial agreements.
International delegates and investors are expected to visit strategic economic locations and enterprises in the state, with Aba’s manufacturing ecosystem projected to feature prominently.The organisers also plan to engage Abia, Nigerian and African diaspora communities, encouraging them to move beyond remittances toward structured investments, technology transfer, mentorship and enterprise partnerships.

The organisers said the success of AFRICANDO 2026 would ultimately be measured by the investments attracted, partnerships established, export opportunities created, market linkages developed and commercial agreements concluded during and after the conference.
The Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Mrs Salome Obiukwu; Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Miss Elizabeth Chijioke; and a Board member of the UCDA, Enyinnaya Okereke, attended the press conference.
The organisers called on investors, entrepreneurs, governments, development institutions, chambers of commerce, manufacturers, SMEs, technology companies, diaspora organisations and the media to participate in the event.
“Abia is ready. Umuahia is ready. Africa is ready for business,” the organisers said.

The Abia State Commissioner for Women Affairs has praised Governor Alex Otti, OFR, for what she described as his transformative and people-oriented leadership, which has continued to reposition Abia State across critical sectors including education, healthcare, civil service reform, infrastructure, and social welfare.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2026 FIDA Week celebration held in Umuahia, the Commissioner said Governor Otti’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and service delivery has restored hope and confidence among Abians, while creating an enabling environment for the protection and empowerment of women, children, and vulnerable groups.
She noted that the Governor’s investments in education, healthcare delivery, road infrastructure, and the welfare of civil servants have continued to positively impact the lives of citizens and strengthen institutional support systems across the State.

The Commissioner equally commended the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) for its unwavering commitment to justice, protection of women and children, and promotion of equity and human dignity in society.
She described FIDA as a dependable partner in the fight against gender-based violence, child abuse, harmful cultural practices, and all forms of injustice against vulnerable persons, adding that the organisation’s legal interventions, advocacy programmes, and humanitarian services have brought hope and protection to countless families.

According to her, the collaboration between the Ministry of Women Affairs and FIDA remains instrumental in advancing the welfare, dignity, and protection of women and families in Abia State.
The Commissioner emphasized that building a just and inclusive society requires collective responsibility, sustained advocacy, stronger legal support systems, and active community engagement to ensure that every woman and child lives in safety, dignity, and opportunity.
She encouraged members of FIDA to remain steadfast and united in their noble mission, stating that their contributions to social justice and human development would continue to leave lasting impacts across communities.

The Commissioner further congratulated the leadership and members of FIDA on the successful celebration of the 2026 FIDA Week and expressed optimism that the event would inspire renewed passion, stronger collaboration, and greater accomplishments in the pursuit of justice, empowerment, and societal development.

The Abia State Government has formally inaugurated a 23-member planning committee to oversee preparations for the 3rd Abia International TradeFair scheduled for 2026.
The initiative underscores the state’s commitment to advancing commerce, attracting investment, and strengthening industrial growth across the region.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, emphasized the importance of thorough preparation and sustained collaboration with trade unions and business groups to ensure the success of the fair.
He charged members to view the assignment as a call to service and to leverage the platform to showcase Abia’s business potential to the world.

Engr. Emetu noted that the 2026 International Trade Fair will create opportunities for enterprises within and beyond Abia State to exhibit goods and services, attract investment, and establish long-term economic partnerships, thereby positioning the state as a hub for commerce and industry in Nigeria.

In her remarks, Dr. Mrs. Salome N. Obiukwu, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, expressed appreciation to the state government for the confidence reposed in the committee. She stated that the blend of state and non-state actors, alongside the Chamber of Commerce, strategically positions the team to deliver a high-impact event that could become “the talk of the nation.” She stressed the need for dedication, teamwork, and sacrifice among members, and confirmed that the committee has been mandated to submit a detailed implementation plan within a stipulated timeframe.
“We are expected to deliver a trade fair that is impactful. Our task is clear, and we must bring our expertise together to achieve this goal,” she said.

The committee comprises senior government officials, private sector leaders, and key institutional representatives. It is chaired by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, while Dr. Mrs. Salome N. Obiukwu will serve as the central coordinator of the committee’s activities.

Other appointed members include: Chief Nwaka Inem, President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, who also serves as Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce; High Chief I. N. Green Amakwe; Chief Cyril Nwigwe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Commerce; representatives from the Ministry of Information and the Abia State Orientation Agency; Anumadu Uchenna, Director of Commerce; Esther Ekanem, Secretary; and Deacon Chidobe Ogbonna.

The committee further comprises Barr. Agbonna Ukobasi, Special Adviser on Ease of Doing Business; Ralph Ogenyi, State Coordinator, Nigeria Export Promotion Council; the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce; Mrs. Lois Kelechi Abelogu, HOD/Director of Produce; Mrs. Sarah Uzochukwu; and Mr. Ben Nwankwo.
Chief Cyril Nwigwe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, described the assignment as a significant responsibility and commended the state government for its ongoing developmental strides. He expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.

The 3rd Abia International Trade Fair 2026 is projected to enhance the visibility of local enterprises, stimulate foreign and domestic investment, and reinforce the state’s economic competitiveness.

Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent office of the Deputy Governor.