By Oghenero Orovwuje
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has intensified preparations for its Economic and Investment Summit slated for August 3 to 5, 2026, declaring its readiness to showcase the state’s vast investment opportunities and economic strengths to the global business community through strategic collaboration with the organised private sector and critical stakeholders.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, disclosed this during a meeting between members of the Economic and Investment Summit Committee and officials of the Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) held in Asaba.
Dr Emu revealed that the summit, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths and Unlocking Our Potentials for Economic Development,” would attract globally acclaimed personalities, including Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is expected as keynote speaker. Renowned Pan-African scholar, Prof Patrick Lumumba, will attend as a special guest, while energy expert, Dr Austin Avuru, will chair the summit committee.
According to the SSG, the state is poised to leverage the summit to position Delta as a prime investment destination by highlighting its enormous natural resources, industrial assets and strategic infrastructure.
“We are ready for an economic and investment summit. Delta State is rich in practically everything. We are the highest producers of crude oil in Nigeria and among the five largest economies in the country by GDP size,” Emu stated.
He listed the state’s comparative advantages to include four seaports, abundant gas reserves, operational economic zones and agro-industrial facilities, describing them as major attractions for prospective investors.
“Gas remains one of our greatest strengths. Delta State has about 40 per cent of the proven gas reserves in Nigeria. The OB3 gas pipeline cuts across Kwale, and we already have an operational Delta State Economic Zone with anchor tenants and several companies operating there,” he said.
Dr Emu explained that the strategic location of the economic zone near key gas infrastructure would ensure reliable and competitively priced energy supply for industries operating within the gas-based industrial corridor through firms such as Seplat Energy and other providers.
“We are ready to light up that entire area for businesses. A lot of companies are already showing interest in operating within that gas-based industrial park,” he added.
The SSG further highlighted the state’s Agro-Industrial Park, describing it as a critical platform positioning Delta as a leading agro-processing and manufacturing hub. He disclosed that the facility spans 180 hectares, with a rice mill nearing completion and storage facilities designed to support large-scale production.
“We have 25 hectares dedicated to companies, meaning we can accommodate at least 25 different firms there. It is a multi-product processing park strategically designed for agro-allied businesses,” he said.
Dr Emu also pointed to the state’s ongoing infrastructural expansion, noting that over 2,300 kilometres of roads and several bridges have been constructed to improve connectivity between riverine and hinterland communities.
He added that Delta possesses vast investment opportunities in aquaculture, oil palm cultivation, rice farming, potato production and fishing, while identifying ceramics and light industries as emerging sectors requiring private sector partnerships.
In his remarks, National President of NACCIMA, Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, represented by his Special Adviser on International Relations and Head of NACCIMA Global, Amb. Janet Olisa, assured that the organised private sector was fully committed to supporting the summit and driving economic growth in the state.
He said NACCIMA would deploy its international network to attract foreign investors and ensure that agreements reached during the summit translate into viable investment opportunities and economic outcomes.
Also speaking, President of DACCIMA, Mr Tony Okoh, commended the state government for initiating the summit and pledged continued collaboration to ensure its success, while Chairman of the Edo/Delta Branch of MAN, Sir Osadolor Ehizogie, lauded the initiative and advocated the inclusion of the association in the summit’s policy planning process.
