In a significant move to position Benue State as a premier investment destination, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia convened a high-profile investment summit on April 14, 2025, at the Government House in Makurdi. The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) under the leadership of Princess Zahrah-Audu led a delegation of high-profile investors, diplomats, and development partners from diverse sectors to explore and harness the state’s vast economic potentials.
A Two-Part Summit Structure: Setting the Stage for Economic Transformation
The summit anchored by the Benue Investment Promotion Agency was meticulously structured into two main segments, beginning with an Opening Ceremony and closing with the Deal Rooms.
The opening ceremony commenced with a compelling address by Governor Alia, who articulated his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment that fosters growth, innovation, and prosperity. He emphasized the state’s strategic focus on simplifying processes, reducing bureaucracy, enhancing security, offering competitive incentives, and developing infrastructure to support businesses. Governor Alia highlighted the establishment of the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA) as a pivotal institution to streamline investment processes and serve as a one-stop shop for investors.
In a keynote address, Terhemen Johnpaul Kpenkaan, the Executive Secretary of BENIPA, outlined the agency’s strategic initiatives to improve the ease of doing business in Benue State. He detailed ongoing policy reforms aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles, enhancing transparency, and providing investor-friendly environment. Kpenkaan emphasized BENIPA’s active role in promoting the state to potential investors and structuring Public-Private Partnership (PPP) transactions to facilitate infrastructure development and service delivery across all sectors.
The second segment of the summit featured Deal Rooms—interactive sessions where Governor Alia, alongside high-ranking government officials, engaged directly with investors in board-room-style interactions to discuss potential investment opportunities:
Agro-Industrialization Initiatives
At the recent investment summit hosted in Makurdi, the team from the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme reaffirmed their commitment to transforming Benue’s agricultural economy through strategic industrialisation. The SAPZ initiative, led by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the Federal Government, targets states with high agrarian potential to establish agro-processing hubs that increase value addition, generate foreign exchange, and improve rural incomes. In Benue’s case, the focus will be on establishing semi-processing facilities for priority crops, attracting private sector equity participation, and completing the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) necessary for unlocking development financing.
Benue State has already demonstrated advanced preparedness, having acquired suitable land for the agro-industrial hub, conducted a feasibility study, and completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with the certificate now pending. However, to meet key pre-conditions for funding, the SAPZ team requested the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (CoO) to secure land tenure and enable seamless project onboarding. Governor Hyacinth Alia assured the delegation of his administration’s swift action on the CoO and all other administrative requirements. If these milestones are achieved within the stipulated timeframe, Benue stands a strong chance of being included in the second tranche of SAPZ funding scheduled for July 2025—a move that could be a game-changer for agro-industrial development in the state.
French Investment Blueprint
At the summit, delegates from the French Department of Trade presented a robust investment framework aimed at expanding French commercial footprints in Benue State. Their proposal focused on high-impact sectors such as agriculture, dairy production, hydropower, and logistics, underscoring the region’s potential as a new frontier for strategic European partnerships. Investment offerings include grant support of up to €500,000 per project, long-tenure low-interest loans (0–1% over 10 years), and a structured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, which allocates 50% funding from the French government, 10% from technical partner companies, and 40% as counterpart support from the Benue State Government. This model is designed to de-risk capital inflows, while ensuring local ownership and sustainability.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, in his remarks, commended the French Development Agency for listing Benue among the first beneficiaries in Nigeria for their agri-vocational schools retrofitting initiative. He reaffirmed the state’s readiness to provide institutional backing through the Benue State Investment and Property Agency (BENIPA), which is tasked with coordinating project structuring, counterpart financing, and implementation oversight. BENIPA will serve as the state’s primary liaison with the French Department of Trade, ensuring that the projects align with state development priorities and deliver measurable outcomes. The French delegation, in turn, extended a formal invitation to Governor Alia to participate in National French Week, scheduled for November in Lagos—an event that promises further engagement and investment matchmaking opportunities.
Telecommunications and Infrastructure Enhancement
IHS Towers unveiled an ambitious proposal to scale up digital infrastructure and enhance public safety across Benue State. The company, which has already deployed 153 kilometres of fibre optic cable in the state, announced plans to double this coverage within the next three years. Their broader infrastructure agenda includes the deployment of surveillance cameras in high-risk areas to strengthen security and improve governance outcomes, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments—such as training over 3,000 Benue youths in digital and technical skills, and rolling out solar-powered ICT hubs in rural communities. These initiatives are designed to bridge the state’s digital divide, improve connectivity, and unlock the productivity potential of underserved areas.
In a significant and strategic policy shift, Governor Hyacinth Alia announced a full waiver of the Right-of-Way (ROW) fees for the laying of fibre optic cables across the state. This decision is both historic and forward-looking, positioning Benue as one of the few sub-nationals in Nigeria actively removing barriers to digital infrastructure investment. The ROW waiver directly aligns with key deliverables of the World Bank’s SABER (State Action on Business Enabling Reforms) programme, particularly the objective of improving the business-enabling environment through reduced cost of broadband deployment. The governor’s pronouncement lays the groundwork for faster, cheaper, and more widespread internet connectivity—vital for e-commerce, education, health systems, smart agriculture, and digital entrepreneurship. This bold move underscores the state’s commitment to building a modern, resilient, and inclusive digital economy.
ADIRM Institute
At the Benue International Investment Summit, the ADIRM Institute proposed a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing the state’s investment landscape. Their proposal focused on leveraging research and data analytics to inform policy reforms, improve the ease of doing business, and attract strategic investments. By integrating advanced data analysis and research methodologies, the ADIRM Institute aims to provide actionable insights that can guide the state’s economic development strategies.
The institute emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking, suggesting that data-driven approaches can identify key areas for reform and investment. This includes analyzing current business regulations, identifying bottlenecks, and proposing targeted solutions to streamline processes for investors. Additionally, the ADIRM Institute highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a mechanism to fund and implement infrastructure projects, suggesting that structured PPP transactions could be facilitated through their research and analytical support. Their approach aligns with global best practices, where data-informed decisions are critical in creating conducive environments for investment and sustainable development.
China Investment Limited Propose Fluoride Plant and Infrastructure Support in Benue
During the recent high-level investment forum in Makurdi, the China General Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with China Investment Limited, unveiled a strategic proposal to establish a fluoride processing plant in Benue State, with an initial investment commitment of $5 million for Phase 1. The project is aimed at tapping into the state’s mineral resources while promoting local value addition, job creation, and export-oriented processing. This proposal falls in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s industrialisation agenda and the broader goal of diversifying the state’s economy through responsible mining and resource beneficiation.
In addition to the core investment, the Chinese delegation emphasised the need for well-defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks to ensure long-term community benefits from extractive operations. They also proposed sponsoring a Benue State delegation to China for an investment roadshow and partnership building. Furthermore, a collaborative proposal was presented to partner with China Harbour Engineering Company on road infrastructure projects through the Benue State Ministry of Works. One of the featured companies, Long River Mining, which has operated sustainably in titanium extraction in Kwande for over six years, expressed readiness to scale operations through new investment and formal partnerships with the State Government. These engagements mark a significant step toward deepening Sino-Nigerian subnational investment cooperation with tangible economic outcomes for Benue.
E-Commerce Expansion
Jumia Nigeria announced plans to establish a formal liaison office in Benue State to support e-commerce growth, enhance logistics, and streamline digital payments. With Gboko emerging as one of the fastest-growing user hubs in Benue, the expansion aims to meet rising demand for farm equipment, particularly during farming seasons, while offering tailored discounts and support for local merchants.
The company also unveiled CSR initiatives focused on improving rural access to technology, supporting irrigation systems, and promoting digital inclusion. As part of its broader strategy, Jumia is exploring a logistics partnership with Benue Links, the State-owned transportation company, recognising its efficiency, widespread reach, and potential to strengthen last-mile delivery across Benue.
Governor Hyacinth Alia welcomed the initiative and directed BENIPA and the Management of Benue Links to engage with Jumia to structure the proposed partnership. The collaboration is expected to enhance rural connectivity, reduce delivery costs, and create new economic opportunities by leveraging Benue Links’ transport network for statewide distribution.
Pan-African Business Collaborations
The Tunisian African Business Council (TABC) expressed strong interest in establishing a strategic partnership with Benue State through a range of collaborative initiatives aimed at boosting trade, investment, and shared development goals. During the investment summit, TABC proposed structured exchange programmes that would facilitate knowledge transfer, capacity building, and youth engagement across key sectors such as agriculture, education, and enterprise development. In addition, the Council outlined plans for import/export partnerships that would open up Benue’s agricultural and mineral products to North African markets while encouraging the inflow of Tunisian technology and expertise into the State.
One of the key highlights of the Council’s engagement was the offer of fully funded project collaborations, tailored to support priority sectors in Benue through joint ventures, technical support, and concessional financing. These proposals are expected to feature prominently at the 2025 Tunisia Summit scheduled for May, where Benue State would be showcased as a priority subnational partner for Pan-African economic integration. Governor Hyacinth Alia welcomed the proposals and directed the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA) to commence formal engagement with TABC to explore areas of mutual benefit and co-development.
Nigeria-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Strategic Interests
The Nigeria-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed a strong interest in deepening its economic engagement with Benue State by targeting strategic sectors such as aquaculture, livestock farming, and oil palm production. During the investment summit, the Chamber highlighted Benue’s natural endowments and favourable agro-climatic conditions as key drivers for expansion. The delegation shared plans to leverage local resources and work closely with government institutions to create large-scale, export-oriented value chains in these sectors, with a focus on job creation, agro-industrial development, and food security.
A major proposal under consideration is the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to convert the state’s abundant coal reserves into organic fertiliser, supporting both industrial growth and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the Chamber announced interest in partnering with Benue State on renewable energy solutions and broader industrial transformation initiatives. As part of its commitment, the Chamber intends to introduce Green Bond Financing to support environmentally sustainable projects.
A follow-up visit to Jakarta has been scheduled for October 2025, where further discussions and formalisation of partnership frameworks will take place. Governor Hyacinth Alia has welcomed the collaboration, citing its alignment with the state’s development priorities under the Benue Economic Development and Investment Strategy (BEDIS).
Conclusion: A New Dawn for Investment in Benue State
The investment summit marked a key moment in Benue State’s economic trajectory, showcasing the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for investors. Through strategic partnerships, policy reforms, and proactive engagement with stakeholders, Governor Alia’s administration is laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth and development.
As the state continues to implement its investment-friendly policies and infrastructure projects, Benue is poised to become a hub for innovation, agriculture, tourism, and industrialization, attracting investors from across the globe.
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