The Abia State Government, in partnership with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has called on Turkish investors to take advantage of the vast business and investment opportunities available in the state. The appeal comes ahead of the first-ever Abia-Türkiye Investment Summit, scheduled to take place from November 25 to 27, 2025, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership, Jerome Greene-Anakwe, made the announcement in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday. He said the state government is working tirelessly to attract both local and international investors by creating a conducive business environment that guarantees sustainability and growth.
According to Greene-Anakwe, Abia has put in place strong mechanisms to ensure that businesses flourish in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, leather, and technology. He explained that the state’s growing reputation as a hub for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) makes it an ideal destination for international investors seeking profitable ventures in Africa.
“Turkey and other European countries are looking for investment opportunities, and those opportunities are bound in Africa, especially in Nigeria,” Greene-Anakwe said. “With our population and growing consumer market, there are many things we can do, but most of our sub-regional governments have not created the right environment for businesses to thrive. Abia State is now changing that narrative.”
He added that the Abia-Türkiye Investment Summit would serve as a platform to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Turkey while showcasing Abia’s industrial potential to global investors. The summit is expected to attract top business leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials, and trade experts from both countries.
“The summit will open up Abia State to the international business community and help us position our economy as a reliable investment destination,” Greene-Anakwe said. “We intend to use the platform to showcase our products and services to the dynamic African market and create opportunities for business-to-business meetings. This will connect investors, exporters, and local entrepreneurs in various sectors.”
He noted that the summit will also feature exhibitions of locally made goods, product demonstrations, and strategic networking sessions to promote partnerships between Nigerian and Turkish firms.
The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, also pledged the chamber’s full support for the initiative. He commended the Abia State Government for taking proactive steps to attract direct foreign investment and promote local production.
“As a Chamber of Commerce, we have long adopted the mantra, ‘Buy Africa, build Africa,’” Obegolu said. “It is only by buying made-in-Africa products that we can build Africa’s economy. We must support homegrown initiatives that attract investments capable of boosting manufacturing capacity and creating jobs across the continent.”
Obegolu explained that the ACCI views the Abia-Türkiye Investment Summit as an important trade promotion event that will drive industrial growth and enhance Nigeria’s export competitiveness. He added that the chamber remains committed to working with the Abia State Government and other stakeholders to promote trade cooperation, facilitate joint ventures, and encourage investment in critical sectors.
He also emphasised the need for strategic partnerships between African and Turkish businesses to boost regional industrialisation, reduce dependence on imports, and support value addition in local industries.
The Abia-Türkiye Investment Summit is part of Governor Alex Otti’s broader economic reform agenda to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), create jobs, and boost the state’s revenue base. The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope economic vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which focuses on improving infrastructure, expanding the manufacturing sector, and strengthening Nigeria’s trade relations.
Analysts believe the summit could open new frontiers for collaboration between Abia’s fast-growing industrial clusters — particularly in Aba, known as Nigeria’s manufacturing hub — and Turkish companies experienced in machinery, construction, textile production, and renewable energy.
With the partnership of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the upcoming summit is expected to yield tangible investment deals and long-term partnerships that will benefit both Nigeria and Turkey. Stakeholders hope that it will mark the beginning of a new era of economic diplomacy and sustainable industrial development in Abia State.
