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Over 40 Turkish firms confirm attendance
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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Abia State is targeting billions of dollars in fresh foreign investments as over 40 Turkish firms and other international investors have confirmed participation in the forthcoming Abia–Turkiye Investment Summit and Product Exhibition (TURAB 2025).
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Chairman of the TURAB 2025 Steering Committee, Jerome Green-Amakwe, described Abia State as the investment destination in the Southeast and said the summit was designed to attract credible investors and position Abia as a viable destination for industrial and commercial ventures.
He said, “Already, we have confirmation from not less than 40 investors coming from Turkey for this programme. They are interested in agriculture, textiles, furniture, manufacturing, renewable energy and construction. Knowing the intensity of these sectors, I would say the expected investments run into several millions of dollars, and when converted to our local currency, it runs into billions.”
Scheduled to be held from 25 to 27 November 2025, in Umuahia, the state capital, the event, being organised by the Abia State Government through the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in collaboration with VEGA Growing Global Enterprise, is themed “Bridging Continents, Unlocking Prosperity.” According to the organisers, it seeks to deepen trade relations between Turkey and Abia while unlocking multi-sector investment opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, textiles, and infrastructure.
Green-Amakwe explained that the state had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VEGA to ensure a successful international summit, stressing that Governor Alex Otti’s administration has been deliberate about creating a friendly environment for business.
“The administration of Dr. Alex Otti is committed to making Abia attractive for investors. Through this Investment Summit, we seek to explore business opportunities across key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, fashion, tourism, energy, and trade logistics,” he stated.
Green-Amakwe said the event will feature Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements between foreign investors and local entrepreneurs to facilitate partnerships and technology transfer. “To host this kind of international summit requires collaboration.” He added that collaborations were ongoing with the chambers of commerce in Aba, Umuahia, Lagos, Kano, and Abuja to ensure broad participation and linkage.
Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Abia State, Dr. Salome Obiukwu, reaffirmed the government’s readiness to host the event and its commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth. “Our government remains unwavering in its commitment to economic transformation, industrial development, and the empowerment of our people.”
Obiukwu noted that adequate security and logistics arrangements had been concluded to ensure a hitch-free three-day event at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
Also speaking, the managing partner at VEGA said global macroeconomic challenges which hitherto hindered investors are not peculiar to Nigeria but expressed optimism that Abia’s internal policies and incentives will help mitigate potential investor risks. “Microeconomic issues are global. There are also incentives within the scope of investment that the state is putting in place such that whatever balancing scales might pull forward, investors are also able to minimise risks and maximise profits.”
Director of Projects, John Onyemachi, highlighted that economic headwinds can be leveraged to serve as advantage. “With the depreciation of the naira, the dollar will purchase more locally. That means investors can acquire production assets at a cheaper rate in Nigeria. If I bring in foreign money, dollars, pounds or euros, it becomes strategically cheaper to invest in naira. That’s the advantage inflation gives us. It’s a win-win situation for any foreign investor.”
He, however, assured that the summit would not sideline small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but rather promote partnerships between foreign and local players. “The strategy is for investors to come and partner with local companies where we already have capacity. They bring in technical expertise and funding to revive industries and train our people. It’s not only about establishing new factories but reviving the old ones.”
He noted that the government has identified several dormant industries, including the ceramic factory in Umuahia and textile and machine tool plants in Aba, which could be revived through strategic partnerships arising from the summit.
