Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has said Nigeria’s rising foreign exchange reserves and improving macroeconomic stability have strengthened the country’s investment outlook, creating opportunities for economic expansion, job creation and sustainable growth.
According to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo made the remarks at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, Delta State, where he highlighted recent improvements in Nigeria’s economic indicators and urged states to leverage emerging opportunities through fiscal discipline and stronger collaboration.
Aburime said the Governor noted that recent economic reforms had helped reverse years of capital flight, improve external reserves and restore confidence in the Nigerian economy, providing a more favourable environment for domestic and foreign investors.
Governor Soludo said his administration had not borrowed “a single dime” since assuming office. He also disclosed that Anambra State withdrew from the World Bank-funded NG-CARES programme, becoming the only state to do so, because prevailing exchange-rate distortions and weak macroeconomic conditions at the time would have made the zero-interest facility “the most expensive fund in the world” after the anticipated currency realignment.
According to the Governor, Nigeria’s economic outlook had improved significantly, with gross foreign exchange reserves rising to about 52 billion dollars and net reserves exceeding 40 billion dollars, compared with about 3 billion dollars in 2023.
He said the stronger reserve position and a more stable and predictable exchange rate had created a more favourable environment for Nigeria, its states and the private sector to attract investment.
The Governor called for stronger economic cooperation among Nigeria’s 36 states, describing Anambra and neighbouring Delta as complementary economies with the potential for deeper regional integration.
He said Anambra State was developing a free trade zone anchored by an aerotropolis project to promote trade, industrialisation and investment.
Governor Soludo also advocated a national Marshall Plan to ensure that improvements in macroeconomic indicators translate into job creation, industrial development and poverty reduction.
Aburime said the Governor urged Nigerians to support Made-in-Nigeria products, arguing that increased patronage of locally manufactured goods could create more than 10 million jobs.
The Governor cited his regular use of Akwete fabric as an example of how supporting indigenous industries could improve livelihoods, preserve traditional skills and strengthen local production.
On economic activities in the South-East, Governor Soludo said the heavy traffic recorded in Onitsha on a Monday indicated that the long-running Monday sit-at-home disruption had largely subsided, signalling a return to normal commercial activities.
The summit, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” brought together government officials, policymakers, development partners and business leaders to discuss strategies for attracting investment and accelerating economic growth.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strategic investments and partnerships, while World Trade Organisation Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, highlighted economic diversification, digital connectivity and youth empowerment as key drivers of Africa’s economic transformation.
Pan-African scholar Patrick Lumumba urged African countries to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that reliable electricity remained critical to industrialisation.
