Delta Can Become Africa’s Next Industrial, Investment Hub– Okonjo-Iweala, Oyedele

By Bayo Amodu And Felix Igbekoyi, Asaba

Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has declared that Delta State has the potential to become Africa’s next major industrial, manufacturing and investment hub if it successfully leverages emerging global trade opportunities and builds a competitive business environment.

Speaking at the ongoing Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, Okonjo-Iweala said ongoing shifts in global supply chains, coupled with opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), have created a rare window for Delta to position itself as a preferred destination for international investment.

The WTO chief noted that Delta possesses many of the attributes investors seek, including strategic location, abundant natural resources, improving infrastructure and a growing pool of skilled labour.

She particularly commended the Delta State Government’s decision to establish a $100 million Viability Gap Fund to de-risk investments, describing it as a significant signal to private investors that the state is committed to translating investment pledges into bankable projects.

According to her, global trade is undergoing profound changes driven by geopolitical tensions, climate-related disruptions and efforts by multinational companies to diversify supply chains away from traditional production centres. These developments, she said, present opportunities for regions that can offer stable and competitive investment environments.

“Delta State should aspire to become a global destination for skilled labour, manufacturing and investment by creating an ecosystem where industries can thrive, talent can flourish, and businesses can compete internationally,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala urged the state to focus on sectors where it has clear competitive advantages, including agriculture, the blue economy, oil and gas, digital technology, artificial intelligence and industrial manufacturing.

She advised the government to prioritise the development of Special Economic Zones, improve infrastructure and energy supply, strengthen regulatory efficiency and concentrate resources on a few strategic value chains capable of competing in regional and global markets.

Drawing lessons from successful industrial clusters such as Nigeria’s Lekki Free Zone and the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone in the Republic of Benin, she said Delta could build globally competitive industrial zones capable of attracting export-oriented industries and creating large-scale employment.

The WTO director-general stressed that while the federal government is responsible for maintaining macroeconomic stability, state governments must create the enabling environment needed to attract businesses and generate jobs.

Also speaking at the summit, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, said recent economic reforms undertaken by the federal government have created a stronger foundation for investment and economic expansion across the country.

Oyedele said reforms, including foreign exchange market unification, fuel subsidy removal, monetary discipline and tax reforms, have improved fiscal stability and increased revenues available to states and local governments. He noted that Delta State is well-positioned to benefit from the reforms because of its strategic location, agricultural potential, natural resources and entrepreneurial population.

According to him, the responsibility of state governments is to convert macroeconomic stability into shared prosperity by facilitating investment, supporting businesses and creating economic opportunities for citizens.

“When strong federal economic reforms are matched with visionary leadership at the state level, opportunity becomes reality,” Oyedele said.

He urged the Delta State Government to deepen private-sector participation, accelerate industrialisation and maximise opportunities arising from ongoing national reforms.
The summit, themed: “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” brought together policymakers, investors, and development partners to explore strategies to position Delta as a leading destination for investment and industrial growth in Nigeria and across Africa.