The Abia State Government has announced that it will host the 2026 edition of AFRICANDO, a U.S.–Africa Trade and Investment Conference and Expo designed to connect African businesses, governments and entrepreneurs with investors, businesses, policymakers and institutions from the United States and other international markets.
The Pan-African investment and trade conference, scheduled to hold from November 17 to 19, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, is organised by the Abia Diaspora Commission in partnership with the Foundation for Democracy in Africa and the Global Chamber of Commerce, with the aim of showcasing Abia State’s economic potential and attracting international investment.
Speaking at a press conference held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the conference hall of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, to unveil AFRICANDO 2026, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said hosting the event in Abia would expose local entrepreneurs to the world, adding that it reflects the growing international interest in the State following the economic transformation and increased engagements with the international business community under Governor Alex Otti.
“This press conference is to formally unveil AFRICANDO 2026, as one of the foremost platforms for advancing commercial, investment and economic relationships between Africa and the United States.
“The 2026 edition represents an important opportunity to move conversations from trade promotion to actual transactions, investments and sustainable commercial partnerships,” Pastor Ajagba stated.
He said the theme is “Deepening U.S.–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA” and noted that the theme is particularly significant at a time when Africa is building one of the world’s largest integrated markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area — AfCFTA.
Pastor Ajagba described the hosting of AFRICANDO 2026 in Abia as strategic, saying that Abia occupies an important position in Nigeria’s manufacturing and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, the State Government has embarked on an ambitious programme of rebuilding infrastructure, strengthening institutions, improving the business environment and repositioning Abia as a destination for private capital.
“The decision to host AFRICANDO in Abia is therefore consistent with the administration’s determination to connect local enterprise with global capital and markets.
“Our objective is to demonstrate that sub-national governments can become active partners in international trade, investment promotion and economic diplomacy,” Pastor Ajagba stated.
Pastor Ajagba said AFRICANDO 2026 would not just be a conference without measurable outcomes but assured that,
“the emphasis will be on Deals, Partnerships, Investments and Market Access. We expect businesses seeking capital to meet investors. Manufacturers seeking international markets should meet distributors and buyers. Investors seeking viable opportunities should encounter credible projects,” Pastor Ajagba stated.
He disclosed that AFRICANDO 2026 would focus attention on major areas of economic opportunity, including:
Agriculture and agro-processing
Manufacturing, Consumer goods
Energy, Financial services
Healthcare, Transportation and logistics
Academic science and technology
Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, among others.
While informing that participants were expected from other African countries, the United States, the Caribbean and other parts of the world, he disclosed that Nigeria had been chosen as a hub, while Abia would serve as the Anglophone hub for West Africa.
He encouraged every entrepreneur to participate in the summit and explained that the 2026 AFRICANDO is not a trade fair, but an international trade conference.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said AFRICANDO 2026 would provide an important platform for Abia to showcase its economic opportunities, locally made products and entrepreneurial strength to investors from Africa and beyond.
He said the conference would promote trade, cultural exchange and economic cooperation while strengthening the State’s relationship with the international business community and creating new opportunities for local businesses.
Contributing, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Rev. Mrs Annie Onu, described AFRICANDO as a unique initiative that would unite Africans for economic development and mutual cooperation.
She said the conference would enable participating countries to understand what Abia is known for while allowing the State to benefit from the ideas, expertise and opportunities available across the continent.
“AFRICANDO is a unique investment that will unite Africans, not only Nigeria. It will encourage other African countries coming to our state to see what Abia has and what God has blessed us with, while we also learn from them,” she said, adding that the event would promote Abia’s rich culture and showcase the achievements of the administration of Governor Otti.
The Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Mrs Salome Obiukwu; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Miss Elizabeth Chijioke; and a Board member of the UCDA, Enyinnaya Okereke, were present at the press conference.
E-signed
DIVINE NWANKWO AND OGE CHRISTOPHER
INFORMATION OFFICERS, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, UMUAHIA
21-08-2026
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