Vice President Kashim Shettima will officially declare open the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit, as the Delta State Government intensifies efforts to attract local and foreign investors to unlock the state’s vast economic potential.
The three-day summit, scheduled to hold in Asaba from August 3 to 5, is themed “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potential” and is expected to bring together policymakers, captains of industry and investors from China, Brazil and other parts of the world.
Addressing journalists in Asaba, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said the Vice President’s presence underscores the Federal Government’s support for Delta State’s investment agenda.
Aniagwu also announced that the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will deliver the keynote address, while renowned Kenyan scholar, Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, will present a special lecture at the summit.
He said the summit is designed to showcase Delta’s comparative advantages and position the state as a preferred investment destination by highlighting opportunities in the blue economy, agriculture, oil and gas, hospitality, housing and the creative industry.
According to him, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration has laid the foundation for sustainable investments through massive infrastructure development, improved security and deliberate investment in human capital.
“It is time to invite investors to take advantage of the enabling environment we have created. Their investments will stimulate economic growth, create employment and improve the quality of life of our people,” Aniagwu said.
He recalled that the state government embarked on an investment roadshow to Brazil last year to strengthen international partnerships and attract investors into strategic sectors of the state’s economy.
Aniagwu said one of the summit’s major attractions would be Delta’s 163-kilometre Atlantic coastline, which presents enormous opportunities in the blue economy, alongside vast agricultural potential, particularly in livestock production, where Brazilian investors have already shown keen interest.
He noted that the summit would further project Delta’s strengths in oil and gas, tourism, housing, hospitality and the creative sector, with the ultimate goal of expanding the state’s economy and creating sustainable jobs in line with Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda.
Commenting on the recent disturbance in Effurun, Aniagwu dismissed claims linking the incident to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a personal disagreement that was wrongly portrayed as a political crisis.
He hinted that Governor Oborevwori had directed security agencies to apprehend those responsible, stressing that the government would not tolerate violence or any form of lawlessness while urging opposition parties to engage in constructive politics instead of distorting facts.
