Abia State is set to host AFRICANDO 2026, a major commercial conference and expo aimed at turning business conversations into concrete investments, partnerships and market opportunities.
Investors and business leaders from the United States and across Africa are expected to converge on the state capital for the high-level investment and economic development event.
The three-day event, scheduled for November 17–19, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, will be held under the theme, “Deepening U.S.–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA”.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, stated this at Government House Umuahia, while briefing newsmen, alongside key government officials, including the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu.
Pastor Ajagba said AFRICANDO 2026 was designed to connect African businesses, governments and entrepreneurs with investors, businesses, policymakers and institutions from the United States and other international markets.
The Chief of Staff pointed out that the event would move beyond conventional conference speeches to focus on actual transactions, investment and sustainable commercial partnerships.
According to him, the theme is particularly relevant as the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, creates one of the world’s largest integrated markets.
He stressed that Africa must no longer be viewed merely as a source of raw materials or a destination for finished products, but as a competitive production, innovation and investment destination.
Pastor Ajagba explained that the choice of Abia as host, is strategic, given the state’s strong entrepreneurial and manufacturing base, particularly Aba, which is renowned for indigenous manufacturing, commerce and enterprise.
The Chief of staff said the Otti led administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure, strengthen institutions and create a more business-friendly environment were positioning the state to attract private capital and international partnerships.
According to him, a major focus of the conference will be the transformation of the “Made in Aba” narrative into “Made in Abia for the World”.
He added that local manufacturers and SMEs require access to capital, modern technology, international standards, better packaging and branding as well at export expertise, distribution networks and sustainable access to global markets.
Pastor Ajagba said AFRICANDO 2026 would feature a structured Deal Room and Investment Marketplace where investment-ready projects from Abia and participating businesses would be presented to investors.
The conference, he said, is expected to facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government meetings, investor presentations, project pitching, site visits and the signing of memoranda of understanding and commercial agreements across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, logistics, technology, finance and real estate.
The chief of staff said that the event will also target SMEs, startups, women-led enterprises and young entrepreneurs, with sessions expected to address export requirements, quality standards, access to finance, digital commerce, intellectual property, international partnerships and opportunities created by AfCFTA.
He said that International delegates and investors will also be taken on selected site visits to enable them assess Abia’s economic potential first-hand, particularly its manufacturing ecosystem.
Pastor Ajagba called on American and African businesses, investors, development institutions, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, multinational corporations, technology companies and the Nigerian and African diaspora to participate in the conference.
He added that the organisers expect the conference to attract investments, create export opportunities, strengthen international partnerships and establish a pipeline of projects that can be tracked beyond November 2026.
“AFRICANDO 2026 is more than a conference. It is a marketplace of opportunities and a platform for partnerships.
“Our ambition is that when the conference ends on November 19, the conversations will not end.
“The relationships established between Africa and the United States must translate into jobs, prosperity and sustainable economic development.
Abia is ready, Umuahia is ready.
Africa is ready for business.
Contributing, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Amb. Rev. Annie Onu, said Africando 2026 would provide a platform for Africans to unite, exchange ideas and explore investment opportunities.
Amb. Onu said the forum would promote trade and cultural exchange while also showcasing Abia’s unique economic and cultural strengths to participating African countries.
She added that the event would further strengthen the state’s global diaspora engagement and demonstrate that Abia was open for investment.
According to her, the Commission would unveil registration details and guidelines for local businesses and organisations wishing to showcase their products and services at the forum.
