Abia governor outlines shift from traditional trading to digital commerce

Abia State Governor Alex Otti says his administration is repositioning the state’s economy from conventional trading towards manufacturing, technology and digital commerce. Otti made the remarks on Monday in Umuahia at the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The event focused on “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo”.

The governor said Abia and the wider Igbo community had historically been associated with trading, but that global commerce was increasingly being shaped by technology and digital delivery. He said the state was therefore seeking to move entrepreneurs beyond dependence on physical shops and conventional markets. “Abia is both manufacturing and then trading.

But we are moving from conventional trading to digital trading,” Otti said, adding that the transition would begin in Abia. He said the administration was supporting manufacturing while promoting digital platforms that could connect local businesses with international markets. Otti referred to concerns about Chinese traders competing with Igbo retailers in Lagos, saying the state’s response should be to move into areas of manufacturing and technology rather than remain focused only on physical retail.

He compared the intended direction to digital marketplaces such as Alibaba. The governor also said his administration was investing in digital skills for young people through its TechRise initiative. According to Otti, some Abia residents trained under the programme were already working remotely for global technology companies from Aba.

He said digital commerce would allow Abia businesses to compete internationally. Otti also assured the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of his administration’s support and described the celebration’s unity theme as appropriate. He said the government had laid foundations for what he described as continued transformation in the state.