OKONJO-IWEALA URGES NIGER DELTA STATES TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES TO DRIVE REGIONAL GROWTH

• Vincent
• 2026-09-23

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on governments across the Niger Delta to establish viable Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as part of efforts to accelerate industrialisation, attract investment and position the region as a major trade and economic hub.

Okonjo-Iweala made the call virtually during the inaugural Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The summit was organised by the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) under the theme, “Driving Investment, Innovation and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta.”

Niger Delta Can Become a Major Industrial Hub.

The WTO Director-General said the Niger Delta possesses the natural resources, strategic location and human capital required to emerge as one of Nigeria’s major industrial centres, alongside Lagos.

However, she stressed that natural resource abundance alone would not guarantee sustainable development. According to her, the region must address critical challenges including poor project execution, inadequate maintenance, inefficient port operations, weak digital infrastructure and high trade costs.

“The situation of the Niger Delta people is far from satisfactory. The region needs to try and do better.”

Okonjo-Iweala also encouraged NDCCITMA to take a leading role in attracting investors and positioning the region as a major trade hub.

Special Economic Zones as a Catalyst for Industrialisation

The establishment of SEZs, according to Okonjo-Iweala’s proposal, would provide a framework for concentrating investment, infrastructure and economic activity in strategic locations across the Niger Delta.

She emphasised the need for the region to improve the overall business environment and reduce the cost of doing business in order to strengthen investor confidence and competitiveness.