NDCC Chamber of Commerce Targets $5bn Investment, Jobs in Niger Delta
The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) says it plans to attract $5 billion in investment to generate more than 500,000 jobs in the Niger Delta region.
The Board Chairman of NDCCITMA, Mr Idaere Ogan, made this known during a media briefing with journalists on Monday in Port Harcourt.
Ogan said the briefing was intended to inform the public about the forthcoming Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit (NDEI Summit), scheduled for May.
He explained that the initiative would be implemented through a structured investment marketplace featuring a Deal Room of 30 to 50 pre-screened, investment-ready projects across key sectors critical to the future of the Niger Delta.
According to him, the investment opportunities span agro-industry and food security; manufacturing and industrial clusters; infrastructure and logistics; and the blue economy and marine enterprise.
“They also cover tourism and the creative economy; technology and digital innovation; gas commercialisation; human capital development; and access to finance.
Ogan said the flagship project pipeline reflected both ambition and practicality, adding that it included the Niger Delta Rural and Urban Mobility Scheme to improve movement between communities and markets.
He listed other projects, including the Agro Food Hub and Integrated Logistics System, aimed at strengthening processing, packaging, storage, and market access, as well as the Cargo Flight System, designed to improve commercial freight connectivity.
The NDCCITMA Board Chairman also mentioned the proposed Niger Delta Science and Technology Park, which he said would serve as a centre for technology incubation, applied innovation, enterprise support, and startup growth.
He added that greenhouse agriculture projects, an Export Trade Programme to prepare thousands for export readiness and international market access, and an Investment Partnership Scheme linking investors with screened opportunities are also included.
Ogan said the summit would also highlight strategic transport and enterprise-support infrastructure such as rail-linked connectivity, incubation facilities, cold chain systems, and fisheries support infrastructure (including ice hubs).
He added that it would also feature a wider network of processing and distribution assets needed to build a competitive regional economy.
“These are not abstract ideas. They are practical vehicles for jobs, productivity, trade, enterprise growth, and investor confidence.
“Our ambition is bold but achievable. We are working to catalyse up to five billion dollars in structured investment commitments over the next five years.
“If pursued with discipline and coordination, this pipeline can support more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute to a stronger regional economy,” he said.
Ogan expressed confidence in the progress being made through the NDCCITMA investment partnership framework, noting that more than 4,000 nano, micro, and small enterprises had benefited from intervention support.
He said an initial five billion naira financing tranche was already supporting qualified businesses across the region, adding that it signaled that investor confidence could be rebuilt through structure and credibility.
According to him, the summit is a fallout of the recently held Niger Delta Business Roundtable and aims to catalyse businesses in the region and change its narrative.
He said the chamber was focused on diversifying the region’s economy beyond oil through investments in agriculture, manufacturing, gas value chains, logistics, tourism, marine enterprise, and the digital economy.
Ogan appealed to governors of Niger Delta states, sister chambers of commerce, and investors to partner with the chamber to transform the region.
Earlier, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Dr Solomon Edebiri, said the summit would bring benefits such as increased investment flow, economic diversification, job creation, and youth empowerment.
Edebiri added that other benefits included improved infrastructure development, an enhanced business environment, and stronger public-private partnerships in the region. CBN Renews Focus on Inflation Targeting Monetary Policy
