Abia State is preparing to host the 2026 edition of the AfrICANDO US-Africa Trade and Investment Conference/Expo, a three-day event that aims to attract international investments, strengthen trade relations, and create employment opportunities. The conference, scheduled to begin on November 17 at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, will bring together investors, business leaders, development partners, and other stakeholders from Africa, the United States, and beyond.
The conference, themed “Deepening U.S.-Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA,” is expected to position Abia as a marketplace for international capital, technology, products, and business opportunities. According to Fred Oladeinde, President of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa and Chairman of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Civil Society Organisation, the event will provide Abia with a unique opportunity to strengthen economic relations with other countries, attract foreign investors, and integrate local businesses into global supply chains.
This is the 27th edition of AfrICANDO and the first time it will be hosted on African soil and in Abia State. Oladeinde described the event as a significant milestone, noting that it aligns with the visionary outlook of the current administration in Abia State to bring international stakeholders, development partners, and investors to the state. The conference will showcase the state’s economic potential to international stakeholders and encourage partnerships and investments capable of supporting the government’s industrialisation and economic development agenda.
The organisers of the conference are also seeking to establish a permanent campus in Abia State to serve as a centre for training, capacity development, and economic collaboration. According to Oladeinde, the proposed institution would create employment opportunities and provide the technical and professional training needed to prepare the state’s workforce for the demands of the global economy. The ambition extends beyond Abia, with a goal to make Nigeria a significant contributor to international supply chains.
The conference will focus on nine economic sectors, including agriculture, trade and investment training, energy, petroleum, and tourism. Dr Okey Agbara, Chairman of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, said the conference would bring together African countries, the United States, and other international stakeholders to explore opportunities for trade and economic cooperation. AfrICANDO is associated with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), an initiative introduced by the United States government in 2000.
One of the conference’s major objectives is to establish an African Trade Development Centre (ATDC) and strengthen the utilisation of AGOA to promote trade between African countries and the United States. Agbara expressed concern that Nigeria had not fully exploited the opportunities offered by AGOA, and Abia is now poised to lead efforts to ensure that local businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and industries benefit directly from the initiative.
The conference is expected to provide local manufacturers with an opportunity to present detailed information about their products to prospective buyers, particularly Nigerians in the diaspora. The state’s 17 local government areas, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) will showcase products at the event.
Key points
- The conference aims to attract international investments and create employment opportunities.
- The event will focus on nine economic sectors, including agriculture, trade, and investment training.
- The organisers plan to establish a permanent campus in Abia State for training and economic collaboration.
Reporting sources
- The Guardian · The Guardian
