Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has positioned Ogun State as Nigeria’s leading investment destination and a key player in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) during the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF25) held in Algiers, Algeria.
Key highlights of Governor Abiodun’s engagement
include advocating for subnational role in AfCFTA, speaking on multimodal infrastructure, investment facilitation, policy stability, economic clusters and free trade zones.
Governor Abiodun emphasized the crucial role subnational governments play in advancing AfCFTA, noting intra-African trade currently stands at just 15% of total trade volume, hindered by infrastructure gaps, regulatory bottlenecks, and fragmented value chains.
He highlighted Ogun State’s robust blueprint for economic transformation, including projects like the Gateway International Cargo Airport, Ijebu-Ode and Kajola Dry Ports, over 1,200 km of upgraded roads, and expanded gas reticulation networks.
He also addressed simplified processes through OgunInvest (One-Stop Investment Center) and a GIS-enabled Land Bank covering 300,000 hectares; frameworks under the 2019 PPP Law, risk-sharing with AfDB and IFAD, and proactive industry-government dialogue.
In addition, he spoke on Initiatives like the Remo Economic Development Cluster, Ijebu Economic Development Cluster, Agbara Industrial Cluster, and Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, drawing attention to Ogun State’s advantageous position with access to Lagos ports, ECOWAS markets, and the Benin Republic border for regional distribution.
Analysts say that Governor Abiodun aims to establish Ogun State as Nigeria’s foremost AfCFTA hub, driving trade, attracting investments, and fostering shared prosperity across Africa.
