Global Investors Tour Delta, As Sir Monday Onyeme Declares, Oborevwori’s Administration Means Businesses

By Anthonia N. Okwuolise

The 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit has emerged as more than just a gathering of policymakers, business leaders and development partners. It has become a defining moment in Delta State’s economic journey, sending a clear message that the state is deliberately charting a new course from an oil-dependent economy to one driven by agriculture, industrialisation, energy, technology, innovation and strategic global partnerships.

Held under the theme, “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” the summit showcased the bold vision of Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to build a resilient and diversified economy capable of attracting foreign direct investment, creating sustainable jobs and positioning Delta State as one of Africa’s emerging investment destinations.

That vision is already translating into tangible results.

One of the major highlights of the summit was the strong interest shown by investors from Brazil, Malaysia and the United States, who embarked on an extensive tour of key investment sites across Delta State. Their visit reflected growing international confidence in the state’s business environment and the opportunities being created by the Oborevwori administration.

The delegation inspected facilities at the Kwale Special Economic Zone, including the Kwale Gas Gathering Hub and Phoenix Company. They also visited Skyward Resources Group in Oleh and Uzezi Farms in Oyede, where they witnessed first-hand the impressive progress already made by indigenous entrepreneurs in agriculture and industry.

Speaking during the tour, leader of the Brazilian agribusiness delegation, Roberto Fonseca, described the Kwale Special Economic Zone as a strategic initiative capable of attracting global investors and accelerating Nigeria’s industrial development.

Fonseca disclosed that the Brazilian delegation had closely monitored developments at the economic zone before deciding to visit Delta State, noting that the government’s deliberate efforts to create an enabling environment for investment inspired confidence.

He revealed that Brazilian investors are already considering investments in gas-fired power generation and cassava processing through joint venture partnerships.

“We have been studying the Kwale Special Economic Zone with great interest because we believe it is a very wise decision by the Delta State Government. We are planning investments in natural gas power generation and cassava processing, and I believe the Brazilian flag will soon stand alongside the Nigerian flag here in a fruitful partnership,” he said.

The delegation also commended the quality of agricultural investments in Delta State after visiting Skyward Resources Group and Uzezi Farms.

Fonseca noted that the modern agricultural facilities demonstrated Nigeria’s enormous capacity to improve food production and achieve food security.

He further stated that Brazil, recognised globally as an agricultural powerhouse, is prepared to partner with Delta State in ranching, beef processing, agricultural technology transfer and modern farming innovations to boost productivity.

“Food security remains one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges, and Brazil is ready to contribute by bringing technology, expertise and investment. We are committed to partnering Nigeria to build a stronger agricultural sector,” he added.

Malaysia also expressed strong interest in Delta State’s agricultural sector.

The Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Aiyub Omar, disclosed that Malaysia is exploring investment opportunities in oil palm development.

According to him, discussions have already commenced with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on possible collaboration to expand Delta State’s oil palm industry, while Malaysian agribusiness firms with decades of plantation management experience stand ready to support the state’s agricultural transformation.

Also speaking, Founder of Agrinexus, Dr. Shermal Perera, said his organisation has already begun collaborating with partners in Delta State.

He explained that Agrinexus serves as technical partner to JB Farms and is supporting DELCOM on a proposed smallholder oil palm development programme.

Perera further revealed that the organisation brought an American investor to explore investment opportunities in Delta State, describing the summit as one already generating real business engagements.

Leading the inspection tour, Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, said the state deliberately combined investment discussions with field visits to existing industries to demonstrate that Delta State is fully prepared for serious investment.

According to him, the objective was to show investors that beyond presentations at the summit, Delta already possesses thriving indigenous businesses ready for expansion through international partnerships.

“What we are looking for is partnership, technology and expertise. We want investors to see that Delta means business. We have indigenous entrepreneurs who are here to stay and are ready to partner with investors from across the world. We want you to have confidence that your investments will be safe in Delta State,” Onyeme said.

His remarks reinforced the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to building an investment-friendly economy anchored on collaboration between government, local entrepreneurs and international partners.

Managing Director of Skyward Resources Group, Chief Eta Enahoro, disclosed that the company’s greenhouse facilities, poultry operations and feed mill were established with significant Brazilian technical support.

He said the enterprise currently operates 42 greenhouse units and a poultry facility with capacity for more than 30,000 birds, while inviting foreign investors to partner with indigenous businesses to further expand agricultural production.

Beyond the investment tour, the summit highlighted strategic sectors expected to drive Delta State’s next phase of economic growth, including the Blue Economy and Maritime Logistics, where government plans to leverage the state’s extensive coastline and waterways to develop marine logistics, inland ports and ship repair services.

Agriculture and livestock development also featured prominently, with renewed emphasis on strengthening value chains in oil palm, cassava, rice, rubber and ranching to improve food security and increase exports.

The summit equally underscored the importance of the Digital Economy and Innovation, focusing on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and youth empowerment to prepare Delta’s workforce for the global economy.

Participants also benefited from the insights of distinguished global leaders.

Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, advocated lower trade costs, digital trade adoption and a stronger maintenance culture for public infrastructure.

Renowned Pan-African scholar Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba challenged African leaders to embrace self-reliance, local ownership and accountability as the foundation for sustainable development.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to economic diversification and urged Nigerian states to embrace healthy economic competition by developing their comparative advantages.

The overwhelming participation of investors, policymakers and development partners demonstrated growing confidence in Delta State’s economic direction.

More importantly, the summit showed that under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s leadership, Delta State is moving beyond policy declarations to practical implementation, creating an environment where investments can thrive and partnerships can flourish.

With strategic collaborations already taking shape and global investors expressing concrete interest in agriculture, energy and industrial development, Delta State is steadily positioning itself as one of Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.

The message from Asaba is unmistakable: Delta is open for business, investment is welcome, and the state’s economic future is being reshaped through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and sustainable development.