Owerri took centre stage on Nigeria’s investment map last week as political and business heavyweights from Africa and beyond gathered for the two-day Imo Economic and Investment Summit.
Hosted by Governor Hope Uzodimma, the summit attracted an impressive lineup that included Vice President Kashim Shettima, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, former President of Mauritius Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, and Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.
For many foreign participants, the gathering marked a rare shift of global attention to Nigeria’s South-East, positioning Imo State as an emerging economic corridor for capital, energy, manufacturing, technology and regional logistics.
Imo Is Engineered for Investment — Uzodimma
In his keynote address, Governor Uzodimma presented what he described as a rebuilt investment foundation anchored on security, infrastructure, power supply and transparent land administration.
He said years of security disruptions had been addressed through close collaboration with federal authorities, restoring the predictability investors require. The governor disclosed that more than 120 roads linking Imo’s 27 local government areas and neighbouring commercial centres had been completed as part of a broader logistics strategy.
A major highlight of his presentation was the upcoming Light-Up Imo Project, which will deliver 24-hour electricity, starting with the Owerri metropolis before extending across the state. Uzodimma said the initiative would significantly reduce production costs by eliminating dependence on self-generated power.
On land administration, he unveiled the Imo Land Information Centre, powered by blockchain-backed digital records. According to him, the system enables global verification of land ownership and the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy within 24 hours.
Uzodimma also outlined sector-specific opportunities, including gas utilisation under the Orashi Energy Free Trade Zone, agro-industrial processing through Adapalm, solid minerals for manufacturing, a growing digital talent ecosystem, and expanded global connectivity via the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport and the proposed Orashi–Atlantic maritime corridor.
“Imo now offers certainty, scale and integration,” the governor said, urging investors to take advantage of what he described as an unsaturated market supported by improved administrative efficiency.
Imo Has Set a New Tone — Boris Johnson
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson drew applause when he dismissed negative narratives surrounding insecurity in Nigeria, saying his experience in Owerri contradicted such perceptions.
“When I decided to come, some people warned about security. But I came anyway, and I feel perfectly safe,” Johnson said.
He praised Imo’s focus on uninterrupted power supply, describing electricity as the backbone of industrial growth. Johnson predicted that artificial intelligence and clean energy would define global competitiveness and commended the state’s forward-looking strategy.
Imo Central to Nigeria’s Diversification Drive — Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, described Imo as a key pillar in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. He said the state’s strengths in digital innovation, gas processing, agro-industrial value chains and small and medium enterprises align with the Federal Government’s long-term economic transformation plan.
Shettima assured investors that federal institutions, including the Bank of Industry, would expand financing support for credible private-sector ventures in reform-driven states.
“Imo has shown commitment, and we will match that commitment with support,” he said.
Nigeria’s Youth Are the Real Asset — Finance Ministry
Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoma-Anite, highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population as its most valuable economic asset. She urged governments and investors to build systems that convert young talent into scalable and productive enterprises.
She commended the Imo Government for convening the summit and drawing global attention to the state, adding that the Federal Ministry of Finance fully supports states committed to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.
Global Endorsement, Regional Ambition
The presence of Ban Ki-moon, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Aliko Dangote and a wide spectrum of global investors lent international credibility to the summit, signalling growing interest in sub-national investment opportunities beyond Nigeria’s traditional commercial hubs.
Imo Deputy Governor, Chinyere Ekomaru, thanked residents and the diaspora community for their support and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to peace, inclusivity and sustainable economic growth.
Repositioning the South-East
The summit provided Imo State with a platform to reset perceptions and court global investor confidence. The consistent message from speakers was clear: Imo is betting on energy, digital talent, manufacturing inputs, logistics and governance reforms to position itself as the South-East’s next major investment hub.
With strong endorsements from global leaders and a clear policy direction, Owerri closed the summit with renewed investor interest and growing confidence that Imo State is ready to compete for capital at both national and continental levels.
About the Author
