Abia Opens Its Gates to the World: Otti Woos Türkiye, Says State Is Ready for Global Investment
Abia State has taken its boldest step yet onto the global investment stage.
At the opening of the Abia–Türkiye Investment Summit & Product Exhibition 2025 in Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti delivered a clear message to international investors:
“Abia is open, reformed, and ready for global business.”
For decades, Abia’s economic story has been shaped by its industrious people—tailors, fabric makers, shoemakers, metal fabricators, agro producers, and a resilient MSME ecosystem built on sheer ingenuity. But now, under Otti’s reform-driven leadership, the state is positioning itself as an investment-ready gateway to Africa’s regional supply chains.
And Türkiye—one of the world’s most dynamic industrial, textile, and manufacturing-driven economies—has taken notice.
A New Abia: Infrastructure, Security, Skills, and Industrial Power
Governor Otti did not mince words.
“Abia is an economy on the rise. If you are looking for where to invest, you don’t need to look any further.”
The state has spent the last two and a half years rebuilding its fundamentals:
✔ Modernised Infrastructure
- Extensive road upgrades across industrial and urban corridors
- Steady power supply in manufacturing clusters
- The emerging Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP) — a transformative hub designed for oil & gas, heavy manufacturing, and export-oriented production
✔ Strengthened Security Architecture
- A multi-layered, community-backed security network
- Predictable, safe environments for local and foreign investors
✔ A Highly Skilled Workforce
- The Ariaria–Aba manufacturing belt remains one of Africa’s largest concentrations of independent technical talent
- Growing pipeline in textiles, metal fabrication, creative industries, agriprocessing, ICT and logistics
✔ Signature Commercial Assets
- Ariaria International Market — one of Africa’s biggest commercial engines
- Akwete textiles, leather craftsmanship, and indigenous manufacturing with new global ambitions
Otti positioned Abia’s unique value proposition clearly:
the mix of industrial heritage, emerging infrastructure, and government-backed policy stability.
Investment Opportunities: A Spectrum of High-Growth Sectors
The Governor presented international investors with a deep portfolio of investment-ready sectors:
Manufacturing (Textiles, Apparel, Leather, Fabrication)
Türkiye already leads globally in textiles and mid-tier industrial equipment. Abia’s expertise in fabrics, garments and leather makes this partnership natural and commercially advantageous.
Oil & Gas Value Chains
The Abia Industrial Innovation Park is structured for:
- Modular refineries
- Gas processing
- Petrochemical derivatives
- Industrial power generation
Agriculture & Agro-Industrial Chains
From cassava, palm produce, rice, and tubers to export-grade horticulture, Abia has created:
- Verified production data
- Mapped value chains
- Supportive export logistics
Otti: “Whatever you put into Abia’s agricultural value chain will yield great returns.”
Housing & Urban Infrastructure
Rising urbanisation has created strong demand for:
- Affordable housing
- Logistics hubs
- Retail and industrial parks
MSME Manufacturing & Export Partnerships
From footwear to packaging, from branding to export pilots—Turkish firms were urged to explore co-investments and technology transfers to enhance Abia’s export competitiveness.
PPP Framework: Strong Federal Backing, Clear Procurement Rules
To support Abia’s global positioning, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) reaffirmed its commitment to:
- Transparent PPP procurement
- Competitive bidding
- Rigorous due diligence
- Capacity development through the Nigeria Institute of Infrastructure & PPP
The ICRC showcased examples of successful PPPs—Lekki Deep Seaport, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Aba Shoe Factory, Daikon Soil Project—and emphasised that such models would be replicated in Abia to accelerate its infrastructure boom.
Türkiye Signals Strong Interest
Representing the Turkish government, Commercial Counsellor Erdal Tozoghu praised Abia’s reforms and the state’s “clear readiness for global partnerships.”
He stated:
“To build bridges between economies and futures, we hope this summit becomes a tradition. More Turkish companies will join future editions.”
Investors from the Turkish delegation, Vega Growing Global Enterprises, and other partner organisations highlighted opportunities in:
- Textiles
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Real estate
- Energy
- ICT
- Logistics
BRANDECONOMY ANALYSIS: Abia Is Emerging as the Southeast’s Investment Capital
The Otti administration has spent 30 months re-engineering governance systems, building infrastructure, restoring the economy and strengthening public institutions.
This summit signals a new frontier:
1️⃣ Abia is transitioning from informal manufacturing to structured global partnerships
Türkiye’s interest is validation of Abia’s new investment climate that encourages Global Investment.
2️⃣ Strategic sectors have clear pathways for export and industrial scaling
Especially textiles, agro-processing, energy, leather, and fabrication.
3️⃣ PPP frameworks will accelerate infrastructure delivery
With ICRC support, Abia can unlock billions in private capital for roads, industrial parks, ports, logistics, and housing.
4️⃣ MSMEs will gain new markets through Turkish collaboration
Technology transfers could fundamentally transform Aba’s production quality and export competitiveness.
Abia is not just inviting investors; it is crafting a new identity:
A rising industrial powerhouse on the African map.
