By Anastacia Eluwa, Asaba
Delta State Government has said that 25 prospective investors from Brazil and a host of others from China have indicated interest in the forthcoming Delta State Investment and Economic Summit, as Vice President Kashim Shettima and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Patrice Lumumba headline a high-powered list of participants.
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Dr Kingsley Emu, disclosed this during an interactive session with stakeholders in Asaba, saying the summit would connect the state’s vast economic potential with local and international capital.
Emu said the summit, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking our Potential,” would also attract the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, development finance institutions and leading private-sector players, while renowned oil and gas industry leader, Engr. Austin Avuru, would serve as Chairman.
Emu stressed that local businesses would play a critical role in translating foreign investor interest into sustainable economic activity, noting that prospective investors were already seeking credible indigenous partners.
The SSG said Delta was approaching the summit with clearly defined and bankable investment propositions rather than a broad promotional agenda, identifying agriculture, aquaculture, power, oil and gas, solid minerals, manufacturing and the blue economy as priority sectors.
On agriculture, Emu identified cassava, rice, oil palm, aquaculture and agro-processing as major investment opportunities, stressing that the state was determined to deepen value addition and move beyond primary production.
The SSG described aquaculture as one of Delta’s strongest but underdeveloped opportunities, saying the state has a huge concentration of fish farmers and fish ponds but requires significant investment in fish feed production, cold rooms and processing facilities.
He said the state’s extensive waterways also offered opportunities for commercial fishing, processing and other blue-economy ventures.
He said the government was exploring decentralised electricity solutions, particularly mini-grids and captive generation, to provide more reliable energy for industrial clusters, manufacturing concerns and commercial centres.
Emu said the summit would go beyond speeches to include sector-focused engagements, investment matchmaking, site visits and structured follow-up aimed at converting investor interest into bankable projects.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, challenged indigenous business leaders to position themselves as investors and strategic partners rather than mere participants at the summit.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Janet Olisa said the organised private sector was fully on board and ready to partner with the state government.
