Edo Government Targets Global Investment Surge with New Security Reforms and Industrial Agreements

Edo State Commissioner Kassim Afegbua highlights new agricultural opportunities and a 10 million metric ton cement facility deal to attract global investors.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 10:44 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Champion News

Strategic Positioning as an Investor Friendly Destination

The Edo State Government has intensified its efforts to attract high value capital by showcasing a restructured economic environment designed to facilitate growth. During a press briefing in Benin City on April 27, 2026, the Commissioner for Communication and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, detailed the administration's commitment to creating a safe and profitable ecosystem for businesses. These efforts are anchored in a series of administrative reforms that prioritize transparency, ease of operations, and a modernized security architecture to protect industrial assets and personnel.

Agricultural Expansion and Large Scale Agro Industry

Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Edo’s investment drive, with the state government highlighting its vast reserves of arable land. Afegbua specifically pointed to the untapped potential in rice cultivation, which the state seeks to scale through private partnerships. He noted that existing successes, such as the large scale operations of Okomu Oil Palm Company and Presco Plc, serve as a proof of concept for the viability of the state's soil and business climate. Beyond palm oil, the government is actively seeking investors for the cassava, maize, and cocoa value chains to bolster food security and export capacity.

Industrial Growth Through Chinese Cement Partnership

In a significant move toward industrialization, the Edo State Government recently concluded an agreement with a Chinese firm to establish a massive cement production facility. The plant is projected to have a capacity of 10 million metric tons, a development expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while reducing the cost of construction materials in the region. This project aligns with the state’s broader strategy to utilize its natural limestone deposits to transition from a consumer based economy to a manufacturing hub.