Wike, Elumelu Rally Global, Local Investors To End Poverty In Africa

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged both local and international investors to seize the vast opportunities in the nation’s capital to drive inclusive growth, tackle poverty, and advance sustainable development.

Wike made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the 2nd Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIEXPO 2025), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The event was organized by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its investment arm, the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL).

Represented by the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, Wike reaffirmed the Administration’s resolve to make Abuja not only Nigeria’s political seat but also a model of economic transformation and sustainable urban development in Africa.

“As Abuja symbolizes Nigeria’s aspirations, our mission, supported by Mr. President, is to make it a safe, investment-friendly city that empowers all citizens,” Wike stated.

The Minister said the summit’s theme, “Empowering Sustainable Growth: Unlocking Potentials in Emerging Markets,” aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes infrastructure expansion, job creation, and inclusive development.

He noted that the FCTA is intensifying infrastructure projects connecting satellite towns, area councils, and rural communities to the city centre, efforts he said are critical to industrialization and economic diversification.

Wike lauded AICL for organizing what he described as a “strategic and forward-looking platform” that unites investors, innovators, and policymakers to explore opportunities for shared prosperity.

“The FCT Administration remains steadfast in building a sustainable, flourishing capital city and strengthening Nigeria’s position on the continental and global stage,” he added.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, challenged African investors to prioritize investments within the continent, emphasizing that Africa’s economic destiny lies in the hands of Africans.

“Make your money, but please bring it home and invest locally,” Elumelu said. “It will be a disservice to make so much and then keep the money in economies that are already developed.”

He stressed that Africa’s economic transformation “will not be written in boardrooms in Washington or London but right here in Africa, in Nigeria, in Abuja, and it will be written by Africans.”

Elumelu further highlighted the role of public-private collaboration in combating poverty, stating that “poverty anywhere is a threat to all of us everywhere.”

He disclosed that the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered 24,000 young Africans with training and non-refundable seed grants of $5,000 each, including 641 beneficiaries from the FCT.

In her remarks, the Group Managing Director/CEO of AICL, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, said the Expo underscores the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda to boost investor confidence, stabilize the micro-economy, and promote sustainable development.

She revealed that ABIEXPO 2025 attracted investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from within and outside Nigeria, including delegates from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Botswana.

“ABIEXPO 2025 marks the next chapter of Abuja’s transformation into a resilient, globally competitive city,” Tamuno said, adding that the event features special Youth and Women’s Days to promote inclusion and link innovators with investors.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji