Precious Nwonu, Enugu

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged Igbo entrepreneurs to move beyond conventional trading and embrace manufacturing and digital commerce to remain competitive in the changing global economy.

Otti made the call on Monday in Umuahia at the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

The event was held under the theme, “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo.”

The governor said while trading had historically been central to Igbo economic activities, the changing business environment required entrepreneurs in the South-East to expand into manufacturing and technology-driven commerce.

Addressing concerns over the growing presence of Chinese traders in retail markets, particularly in Lagos, Otti said the response should not be to remain in the same segment of the market but to move into areas that offer greater opportunities for production and digital sales.

He said his administration was already pursuing that transition in Abia by supporting manufacturers and promoting digital platforms for businesses.

According to him, physical markets would remain important, but entrepreneurs needed to take advantage of digital commerce to reach customers beyond their immediate locations.

Otti said Abia was positioning itself as both a manufacturing and trading hub, with digital commerce providing an avenue for businesses to compete in international markets.

He said his administration was also investing in technology training for young people through the TechRise initiative.

The governor noted that some young Abians who benefited from the programme were already working remotely for international technology companies from Aba.

Otti also assured the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide of his administration’s support, describing the theme of the celebration, “Njikọ Ka,” meaning “Unity is Supreme,” as relevant to the development of the South-East.

He said his administration had established what he described as a strong foundation for the development of Abia and pledged that the state would continue to witness transformation.