The Abia State Government has announced that the state will hold an ‘Abia Business Roundtable’ on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The high-level business roundtable is aimed at exchanging ideas with members of the business community across the country and strengthening collaboration between the government and the private sector.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Friday at Government House, Umuahia, during a joint press conference with the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Public Private Partnership Office and Investment Promotions Office, Mr Chinedum Chijioke. The briefing was organised to herald the state government’s business roundtable scheduled to take place on March 5, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

Kanu said the business roundtable, which will be presided over by the state Governor, Alex Otti, would provide a platform for the government to exchange ideas with members of the business community.

He further noted that issues that would promote businesses in Abia State, as well as investment opportunities that could attract investors to the state, would be discussed at the meeting.

“The business roundtable will provide a platform for government and relevant MDAs to exchange ideas with members of the business community.

“They are being drawn from all over the country. During the roundtable, both parties will discuss issues of common interest.

“It will provide them the opportunity to tell us what they need and what the government has in place for the business community.

“So, it promises to be a very fertile ground for exchange of ideas,” Kanu stated.

Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotions Office, Mr Chinedum Chijioke, said the Abia Business Roundtable with the governor would be held at 10:00 a.m.

He stressed that “the idea is to create a platform for the government to engage the business community — a platform for collaboration to address issues of common interest.

“As you may be aware, across the globe, whether in developing or developed economies, the private sector drives the economy.

“What the government does is to provide an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.”

Chijioke said there was a need for the government to have a structured platform to engage the business community, exchange ideas and address challenges.

“By so doing, you provide the business community a platform to be part of shaping government policies as they relate to the business environment and climate.

“So, this being the first of its kind in Abia under this administration, will create a collaborative structure for the business community to engage the government on issues of common interest, address challenges and contribute to policy direction in economic development,” he said.

He added that the government was drawing business leaders from across the country and from various categories of enterprises operating in the marketplace.

The DG said the registration link had been made available to the public and that interested participants could also register by contacting 0808-660-8448 via text message or WhatsApp to receive the link.

“We have created categories based on our understanding of how the private sector is structured.

“So, you have businesses that generate ₦50 million annually to those that generate ₦1 billion or more. We have drawn from across these categories.

“But participation is subject to registration. You register, we review your details and send you an invitation, as attendance is strictly by invitation.

“We want active players — employers of labour who are driving the economy of Abia — to attend this meeting with His Excellency,” he said.

Chijioke also used the opportunity to explain the mandate of the PPP and Investment Promotions Office.

“Our role is divided into three major areas: investment promotion, which is like marketing; investment facilitation, which is like sales; and aftercare and advocacy, which is like after-sales support. This government–business engagement is part of our aftercare and advocacy function,” he explained.

The Director-General of the Abia State Public Private Partnership Office and Investment Promotions Office, Mr Uchenna Nnaomah, was also present at the press conference.