According to Emu, the state has constructed and rehabilitated more than 2,600 kilometres of roads and over 20 bridges, opening up rural communities, reducing transportation costs, and linking key economic corridors to facilitate commerce and investment.
...Targets industrial growth, jobs at 2026 investment summit
Delta State is intensifying efforts to position itself as Nigeria's next major investment destination by leveraging its expanding infrastructure, strategic maritime assets, reliable power supply, and the Delta Special Economic Zone to attract local and foreign investors ahead of the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing ahead of the summit scheduled to hold in Asaba from August 3 to 5, 2026. He said the Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori administration had deliberately invested in critical infrastructure to create an enabling environment for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
According to Emu, the state has constructed and rehabilitated more than 2,600 kilometres of roads and over 20 bridges, opening up rural communities, reducing transportation costs, and linking key economic corridors to facilitate commerce and investment.
Highlighting Delta's competitive edge, the SSG identified the Delta Special Economic Zone as one of the state's strongest investment attractions, noting that its proximity to the OB-3 gas pipeline guarantees investors access to some of the cheapest and most reliable electricity in Nigeria.
"The infrastructure has been provided. Government has created the enabling environment. Investors can come into Delta and enjoy competitive energy costs that many other states cannot offer," Emu stated.
He revealed that Delta already operates an independent power infrastructure supplying about 8.5 megawatts of electricity to government offices and public institutions, adding that ongoing electricity sector reforms would further expand affordable power supply to industries and businesses across the state.
Emu also underscored Delta's strategic geographical advantages, saying the state is uniquely positioned for maritime investment with four seaports, two airports, and a 163-kilometre Atlantic coastline. He explained that the Oborevwori administration is prioritising the development of the blue economy by promoting aquaculture, commercial fishing, fish-feed production, seafood processing, cold-chain logistics, and marine transportation.
He noted that the Ekpan-Ugborikoko axis hosts one of West Africa's largest concentrations of fish ponds, where commercial aquaculture has generated employment and transformed livelihoods for thousands of residents.
Beyond maritime opportunities, the SSG said Delta possesses abundant deposits of coal, lignite, kaolin, and silica, creating significant opportunities for mining, manufacturing, and power generation. He disclosed that coal extracted from parts of the state currently supplies major cement manufacturers, while plans are underway to develop coal-fired electricity projects to drive industrial expansion.
Dr. Emu further revealed that the state government had spent the last three years marketing Delta's investment opportunities through strategic engagements with investors in China, Brazil, and other key global markets. According to him, investment missions to São Paulo have already yielded positive results, with several Brazilian companies expected to participate in the forthcoming summit, while Chinese investors have also indicated strong interest.
To sustain investor engagement, he said the state had developed comprehensive investment prospectuses and launched a dedicated summit website that would provide prospective investors with detailed information before and after the event.
Expressing optimism about the outcome of the summit, Emu said it would serve as a catalyst for Delta's economic transformation by attracting investments capable of accelerating industrialisation, boosting exports, and creating employment opportunities for the state's growing youth population.
"The opportunities are enormous. We have the resources, the infrastructure, the connectivity and the political will. What we seek now is partnership with investors who are ready to grow with Delta," he said.
