The Abia State Government has disclosed that the 2026 Aba International Trade Fair, which will be held later this year, will be coming up with a special conference on trade, investment, and agribusiness.

The Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. Salome Obiukwu, who made the disclosure in Umuahia, said the trade fair will be the greatest show for trade and industrial development in Aba, as the commercial nerve centre of the South-East will host the world.

The commissioner said the trade and infrastructural revolution, triggered by the administration of Dr. Alex Otti, has given way to a new influx of investments, trade, and agribusiness which the trade fair will be leveraging on.

She emphasised that the Expo will feature sectoral conferences across agribusiness and food processing; fashion, garment and tailoring (Made in Aba); protective apparels for oil and gas and construction, including real estate and infrastructure.

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Caleb Ajagba, said: “Aba shall never be the same after this event as we prepare to welcome visitors and exhibitors from all over the world”.

He enjoined corporate Nigeria to seek early-bird engagement as an explosion in economic activities is expected.

The Lead Consultant to the conferences, Dr. Ugo Nwabuisi, said the new success in security in the region has given way to a wave of businesses returning to Aba from where they can easily relate to operators in the entire South East, South South, and even Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.

He noted that stable power, road infrastructure, and ease of doing business are variables that have placed Aba heads and shoulders above other business locations in Nigeria.

President, Aba Chamber of Commerce (ACCIMA), Dr. Jude Nwosu, confirmed that all sectors and members of the Chamber and neighbouring states have been put on invitation for total ecosystem cohesion and participation. He noted that Aba has continued to re-emerge as the epicentre of trade in the entire region. Aba will play host to the world. Many professional bodies and trade organisations are expected at the event from Onitsha, Nnewi, Owerri, Aba, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Cross River states, and other parts of the country. (The Sun)