AFRICANDO 2026: Abia Govt unveils plans to connect SMEs to global markets

By Taiye Agbaje

The Abia Government has rolled out plans to connect Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to international investors during the African Diaspora Conference and Expo (AFRICANDO).

Dr Caleb Ajagba, the Chief of Staff to Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, made this known on Friday while addressing newsmen to sensitise the public about the event in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 27th AFRICANDO is scheduled to hold in Umuahia in Abia between Nov. 17 and Nov. 19.

Ajagba said the state was selected to host the event due to the infrastructure, security, manpower developments and its entrepreneurial capacity.

He stressed that Abia was found to possess the enabler to draw investors into the state and the country at large.

He said Abia’s manufacturing base, particularly Aba, offered opportunities for international business partnerships and investment.

He said the three-day programme would enable operators of SMEs, especially those who have no access to funds, to connect with international investors towards boosting their businesses.

“Overtime, you discover that quality is what matters at the global market,” he said.

Ajagba assured that the state government would work with the organisers to ensure that the conference delivered practical economic benefits to businesses and the state.

President of Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA), Fred Oladeinde, corroborated that the event would connect manufacturers and small businesses in the state to international markets through stronger trade links with the United States and other African countries.

From Left to Right: Fred Oladeinde, President of Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA); Dr Caleb Ajagba, Chief of Staff to Abia Governor and Sherrif Balogun, representative of Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.

He said plans were underway to establish a trade centre and civil society network to facilitate access to international markets, investment opportunities and business partnerships for local enterprises.

According to him, the proposed platforms would work with the Abia Global Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs and other partners to strengthen trade connections.

Oladeinde said manufacturers and entrepreneurs in Aba, a major commercial and manufacturing centre, stood to benefit from improved access to markets across Nigeria and West Africa.

He added that the initiative would support advocacy for a long-term extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), following its reported two-year extension to December 2028.

He said the expo’s theme, “Deepening U.S.-Africa Commercial Ties in the Area of AfCFTA and AGOA,” would provide an opportunity to examine how existing trade frameworks could translate into greater commercial opportunities for African businesses.

He said discussions would cover eight sectors, including agriculture, consumer goods, financial services, insurance and healthcare, among others.

He said FDA, in partnership with Abia government, would ensure a successful event.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza