World Trade Organisation Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recently stated that Delta State holds the necessary assets to become a primary industrial center for Nigeria, potentially rivaling Lagos. During the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit, she praised the state’s launch of a $100 million investment fund designed to mitigate risks for potential backers.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that shifting global trade dynamics offer new prospects for the region. To capitalize on this, she encouraged the state to utilize Special Economic Zones as a cornerstone for industrial development, provided they are supported by critical infrastructure like electricity, rail, and reliable digital access. She further advised officials to avoid spreading resources too thin by concentrating on specific value chains where the state maintains a competitive edge.
Specifically, the WTO leader highlighted the blue economy as a significant growth area. With Nigeria spending nearly $866 million annually on fish imports, she suggested that Delta could establish itself as a national leader in fisheries, logistics, and port services. Finally, she commended the state’s strong track record in debt sustainability, urging local leaders to maintain fiscal discipline as they work to transition the regional economy from a resource-dependent model to a diverse and resilient system.
