Tricia Iwuoha
The 2025 Imo Economic Summit closed on a high note, securing strong commitments from global statesmen, major investors, and development partners eager to support the state’s renewed drive toward industrialisation, infrastructure expansion, and large-scale job creation.
The two-day gathering held from December 4–5 at Concorde Boulevard, New Owerri with the theme: “Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment and Innovation” featured an engaging blend of keynote speeches, policy dialogues, and investment round tables tailored to spotlight Imo’s evolving economic landscape and attract transformative private-sector participation.
Welcoming delegates, Governor Hope Uzodimma celebrated the national economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that they are beginning to create “centres of prosperity” across the country. He emphasised that Imo State has undergone sweeping reforms to eliminate bureaucratic barriers and open the door to large-scale investment.
“We have pursued aggressive but progressive reforms from which early movers and investors can benefit,” the governor stated. “Bottlenecks that previously made doing business difficult have been removed, and we have interconnected our communities with over 100 new roads.”
He highlighted ongoing infrastructure and energy initiatives most notably, the Orashi Power Project, expected to come online soon and the Skill-Up Imo Initiative, which continues to produce a new generation of highly skilled workers. Uzodimma also announced that Imo’s land administration system had been fully digitised, enabling Certificates of Occupancy to be issued within 24 hours.
Positioning the state as Nigeria’s next investment frontier, he spotlighted the Orashi River Dredging Project, vast mineral assets, and what is believed to be the largest untapped gas reserve in West Africa.
“Imo State is secure, ready, and open for business,” he declared. “When opportunity meets preparation, good business happens. Bring your investments to Imo State now for higher returns.”
Describing the summit as a “turning point,” Uzodimma revealed plans for an Investment and Project Delivery Secretariat to track investor commitments, coordinate due diligence, and ensure timely execution of agreed projects.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for state-driven growth, acknowledging Imo’s competitive advantages in technology, agro-processing, gas utilisation, and SME development. He called for stronger public-private partnerships to accelerate sustainable development.
Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, echoed this optimism, signalling readiness to partner on “transformative projects,” a statement that drew enthusiastic reactions from delegates. Development agencies and private financiers also expressed interest in supporting infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, and financial programmes designed to improve the business climate and boost productivity.
Across two days of expert-led panel sessions, discussions revolved around infrastructure renewal, industrial parks, energy access, agribusiness value chains, SME financing, technology ecosystems, and investment facilitation. Speakers emphasised the need for bankable projects, investor confidence, and transparent delivery frameworks.
The summit’s global prestige was reflected in its distinguished guest list, which included Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia; Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General; Aliko Dangote; Professor Benedict Oramah, former President of Afreximbank; Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Technologies; Isha Sesay, former CNN anchor; Ernest Nwapa, and numerous industry leaders.
Adding cultural gravitas to the event were respected traditional rulers, among them the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Eze Dr. Cletus Ilomuanya, the Obi of Obinugwu.
Media organisations provided extensive coverage throughout the summit, praising Imo State for hosting a world-class economic forum that showcased its natural endowments, talent pool, and increasing investment readiness.
The summit concluded with a renewed call for actionable follow-up, strong governance frameworks and continued engagement between government and investors to ensure that the commitments made translate into tangible development outcomes for the people of Imo State.
LUSH covered the summit in pictures.
