Photo File: AFCFTA FORUM

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reaffirmed the State’s position as Nigeria’s foremost investment hub at a panel session during the ongoing IATF25 in Algiers.

Speaking on “Investment Showcase: Unveiling Opportunities from Select African & Caribbean Sub-Sovereigns”, Governor Abiodun emphasized the vital role of subnationals in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He noted that intra-African trade remains at just 15 percent of total trade due to poor infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks, and fragmented value chains.

The Governor highlighted Ogun State’s blueprint for breaking these barriers through investments in multi-modal infrastructure, economic development clusters and free trade zones, simplified investor processes, policy stability, and strategic regional connectivity.

According to him, with initiatives such as the Gateway International Cargo Airport, Ijebu-Ode and Kajola Dry Ports, OgunInvest, and expansive road and gas networks, Ogun State is positioning itself as Nigeria’s leading AfCFTA hub—driving trade, investment, and shared prosperity across the continent.

“In Ogun State, we are breaking these barriers by:

“Building multi-modal infrastructure – Gateway International Cargo Airport, Ijebu-Ode & Kajola Dry Ports, 1,200 km of upgraded roads, and expanded gas reticulation networks.

“Developing Economic Development Clusters & Free Trade Zones – such as the Remo Economic Development Cluster (anchored by the newly licensed Gateway International Airport), the Ijebu Economic Development Cluster with proximity to the Dangote Refinery and Agro-Allied Industries, the Agbara Industrial Cluster, the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, and other hubs designed for co-location, shared utilities, and value-chain optimization.

“Simplifying processes – through the One-Stop Investment Center (OgunInvest) and a GIS-enabled Land Bank (300,000 ha pre-verified) for faster permits, titles, and approvals.

“Ensuring policy certainty – with PPP frameworks under the 2019 PPP Law, risk-sharing with AfDB & IFAD, and proactive industry-government dialogue.

“Leveraging location – with seamless access to Lagos ports, ECOWAS markets, and the Benin Republic border for regional distribution.”

Abiodun added that the administration is positioning Ogun State as Nigeria’s leading AfCFTA hub—where scale, speed, and certainty converge to unlock shared prosperity for Africa.