Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has identified seven priority sectors the state is targeting to attract investment, deepen industrialisation and drive economic growth.

Otti spoke yesterday at the Meet the Governor Series of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) in Lagos, themed ‘Repositioning Abia for Enterprise, Industrialisation and Sustainable Economic Growth’.

The sectors of focus m, he said, are agribusiness and agro-processing, trade and markets, creative and digital economy, manufacturing and industrialisation, small and medium enterprise growth, inclusive finance and diaspora investment and innovation.

Declaring the state open for business, Otti said reforms in fiscal governance and infrastructure were aimed at creating a more conducive environment for investors.

He said the state’s 2026 budget of N1.016 trillion allocates 80 per cent to capital expenditure, while its projected internally generated revenue of N223.4 billion is expected to cover recurrent expenditure.

Abia was ranked fourth in the BudgIT States Fiscal Transparency League in the fourth quarter of 2025.

On infrastructure, Otti said 414 roads had been completed, while 82 others were under construction. He added that more than 10,000 solar-powered streetlights had been installed across Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.

The governor said investment opportunities existed across the plantation, processing, manufacturing and off-take segments, citing livestock ranching, dairy, cashew, cocoa and rubber in agribusiness.

He also identified garment manufacturing, ceramics and leather works as opportunities in the industrial sector, while tourism opportunities included Enyimba Hotels and Ibom Waterfall.

At a fireside chat, Otti further identified the Azumini-Obeaku Seaport as a potential trade and logistics gateway, alongside plans for an industrial park and a proposed Abia medical city.

The NBCC President, Abimbola Olashore, said Aba’s manufacturing heritage provided a strong foundation for industrial growth but stressed that investors needed predictable policies, functional institutions and quality infrastructure before committing capital.

He said the government’s role was to provide an enabling environment, while the private sector should provide capital and expertise.