By: Our Reporter, Calabar
Cross River State Government has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint for economic transformation, inviting investors, particularly from the African diaspora, to harness the state’s vast potential in agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure.
The appeal was made at the Global United Christian Congress of Africa and the Diaspora (GUCCAD) Investment Forum held in Calabar recently with the state government assuring investors of robust support, security, and high returns.
His Excellency, Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, in his keynote address, set the tone by highlighting the state’s strategic advantages. “With a land area of 20,156km², a projected population of 4.4 million, and a near-zero crime rate, Cross River State is certainly an ideal investment hub,” the Governor stated.
He detailed opportunities across key sectors, emphasizing agriculture where the state’s climate favours the industrial cultivation of cocoa, palm oil, rubber, and rice. He also announced an ambitious plan to “increase the existing forest reserve by 50% in the next 3 years,” reinforcing the state’s ‘Clean and Green’ ethos.
On mining and renewable energy, Governor Otu listed granite, limestone, barite, and manganese among the state’s solid minerals and invited investments in mining and the manufacturing of green energy components like solar panels. He also highlighted major infrastructure projects like the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port and the ongoing Obudu Cargo and Passenger Airport as viable, untapped opportunities.
In the tourism sector, the Governor specifically called for private investors to take over the funding and management of iconic assets like the Obudu Mountain Resort, the Tinapa Business Resort, and the Carnival Calabar through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Echoing the Governor’s vision, Dr. Bong Duke, Vice Chairman of the Cross River State Planning Commission, delivered a dynamic presentation titled “Invest Cross River.” He moved beyond listing opportunities to outlining a concrete action plan built on three pillars.
The first pillar, “Agro-Industrial Revolution,” promised investors a “tested agro-model” linking them with local farmers. Dr. Duke passionately appealed for factories to process cassava into ethanol, fruits into juice concentrates, and most notably, for cocoa to “leave our shore as chocolate, not as cocoa seeds.”
The second pillar, “Aviation and Tourism: The Gateway Experience,” focused on upgrading the Calabar International Airport and developing a logistics park. He revealed the symbolic launch of two aircraft by Cally Air on the same day, calling it a “significant day” brought by the “good fortune” of the diasporans.
The third pillar, “Auxiliary Industries,” covered renewable energy, specialist healthcare, world-class education, and the digital economy. Dr. Duke pointedly noted the absence of an International Baccalaureate school in southern Nigeria as a prime investment gap.
Addressing potential investor concerns, Dr. Duke assured them of a streamlined process. “Cross River has a monster investment shop… We will uphold you from conception to operation,” he declared, designating the Planning Commission as a single point of contact. He concluded with a powerful call to the diaspora: “Do not send remittances. Send your ideas. Do not just build houses. Build industries… Let us move from the diaspora narrative to the developer narrative.”
The sentiment was warmly received by the international delegates. Prof. Ijeoma Nwosu, Chairman of GUCCAD, expressed profound gratitude for the state’s hospitality, which he said helped “convince the international community that Nigeria is very serious about reconciliation before getting on to business.” He announced that 18 nations were present and predicted that by their next convention in 2026, they would have “twice the number,” leading to investments that “will flow like a river.”
On his part, Mr. Otu Okor, Chairman of the Cross River State Diaspora Commission, reinforced the forum’s theme, “Invest Cross River.” He invited attendees to explore the state’s opportunities and “partner with us in shaping the future of our economy. Together, let us build a prosperous and thriving Cross River State.”
The event concluded with a unified front from government officials and international partners, signaling a strong commitment to transforming Cross River State into a leading investment destination in Africa.
