Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has unveiled plans to attract American and other international investors to the state through the 2026 edition of the African Diaspora Conference and Expo, AFRICANDO.
The event, scheduled to hold later this month, is expected to bring together investors, business leaders, policymakers, development partners, diplomatic representatives and entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities and strengthen commercial ties between Africa and the United States.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, disclosed the plans in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday.
According to Ajagba, the Abia State Government is working with the organisers of the conference to ensure that the event produces concrete investments and commercial partnerships.
“AFRICANDO is a platform for translating international economic engagement into concrete investments and commercial partnerships,” Ajagba said.
“The state government is working with the organisers to ensure that the conference goes beyond speeches and networking to facilitate transactions, business agreements and sustainable investment.”
The 2026 edition of the conference has the theme, “Deepening U.S.–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA.”
Ajagba explained that the event would connect investment opportunities in Abia and other African markets with American capital, technology, expertise and international distribution networks.
He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area presents opportunities for African businesses to expand beyond their domestic markets, while international partnerships could help improve production capacity and competitiveness.
The Chief of Staff said Abia was well-positioned to benefit from the initiative due to its strong manufacturing and entrepreneurial base, particularly in Aba, which is widely known for indigenous manufacturing, commerce and craftsmanship.
He added that the Otti administration was investing in infrastructure, strengthening public institutions and improving the business environment to make the state more attractive to private investors.
Ajagba said international delegates and prospective investors would be encouraged to visit strategic economic locations, manufacturing clusters, businesses and government-backed projects across the state.
According to him, the visits would enable participants to assess investment opportunities firsthand and engage directly 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 said.
Sectors expected to receive attention at the conference include agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, transportation and logistics, science and technology, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Ajagba added that a major feature of the conference would be a structured Deal Room and Investment Marketplace, where investment-ready projects from Abia and participating businesses would be presented to prospective investors.
The initiative is expected to provide an opportunity for the state to showcase its economic potential and pursue partnerships capable of driving long-term investment and development.
