Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has formalized partnerships with thirteen organizations spanning various economic sectors, including commerce and automobile, to drive the development of the state. This significant event took place during the Anambra Investment Summit, ANINVEST 2023, held at the Anambra International Convention Centre in Awka.
The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were inked with Universal Elysium Ltd for the enhancement of Onitsha River Port, Birsa Water Ltd and Neni Development Union for the advancement of Neni Water Scheme, OMAA Global Engineering and Tech for the development of AUU Automotive Industrial Park, and Nko Agro Farms Ltd for the establishment of Nko Agro Park. Additionally, MoUs were signed with GVE Projects Ltd for the creation of Green Village Electrification, Sundry Markets Ltd for the development of Awka Shopping Mall, CPCs Transcommunication Ltd for the design of a master plan for the Anambra Intra-City Rail system, linking Awka, Ekwulọbịa, Nnewi, and Onitsha, Mahendra Consulting Engineering Ltd for Ikenga Mixed-Use Industrial City, and Afrexim Bank.
To establish the Anambra Pharmaceutical Hub at Ogboji, the state government entered into MoUs with Nimet Pharmaceuticals, Dozzy Group, Green Life Pharmaceuticals, and the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria.
Governor Soludo affirmed that MoUs had also been signed with seven estate developers for the development of the new Awka, assuring that progress reports would be provided by the following year. He expressed readiness to collaborate with more investors on “bankable projects” and emphasized the intentional effort to present Anambra as the preferred investment destination.
The Governor highlighted Anambra’s advantageous position as a locational hub and its ranking as the top state among seventeen in the Southern region for ease of doing business. He reiterated the state’s commitment to fostering partnerships for sustainable growth.
In a keynote speech, Chairman of AFREXIM Bank, Dr. Benedict Oramah (represented by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of AFREXIM Bank), acknowledged Governor Soludo’s transformative impact on the state’s growth trajectory. The bank expressed its readiness to partner with the state on a $400 million industrial city project aimed at attracting export-oriented businesses.
Mark Okoye, Managing Director of Anambra Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ASSIPA), encouraged investors to capitalize on the abundant investment opportunities and boundless potential in the state.
The summit, themed “Laying The Foundation for a Prosperous and Smart Mega City,” featured panel discussions on various topics, including Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones, Unlocking Financing for Bankable Infrastructure Projects, Gas and Sustainable Energy Technology, Innovation and Business Incubation, and the Role of Corporate Governance in Building Sustainable Businesses.
Dignitaries in attendance included Anambra State Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, and other prominent figures from the diplomatic corps, industry leaders, and international organizations.