The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to creating a safe, business-friendly, and investment-ready capital city that empowers citizens and drives sustainable growth.
Speaking at the second edition of the Abuja Business and Investment Expo 2025, held at the newly refurbished Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, yesterday, Wike—represented by the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud—said the FCT Administration was implementing deliberate measures to attract investors through improved infrastructure, ease of doing business reforms, and transparent governance.
He noted that the administration’s priority is to strengthen Abuja’s economic base by promoting private sector participation in housing, transportation, tourism, and technology-driven initiatives aimed at boosting the city’s global competitiveness.
Wike reaffirmed that the FCTA remained committed to advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development. According to him, public-private collaboration will continue to be the foundation of the FCT’s long-term vision to become a model of modern urban development in Africa.
In her welcome address, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL), Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, said the summit served as a strategic platform to showcase investment opportunities in the FCT while fostering collaboration between local and international investors.
Tamuno emphasized AICL’s commitment to promoting economic diversification and positioning Abuja as a leading destination for business and innovation. She stressed that public-private partnerships were critical to achieving sustainable growth, job creation, and infrastructure development, while expressing gratitude to the FCT Minister for his consistent support in building an investment-friendly capital city.
Delivering the keynote address, Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Plc, Tony Elumelu, highlighted the critical role of the private sector in Africa’s economic transformation. He noted that the private sector contributes over 70 percent of Africa’s GDP and more than 80 percent of employment, underscoring its influence in driving productivity and resilience across the continent.
Elumelu, who also chairs UBA Group and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, spoke on the theme “Empowering Sustainable Growth: Unlocking Potential in Emerging Markets.” He urged African governments to create enabling environments that support entrepreneurship, innovation, and access to capital, while commending Wike for the FCT’s ongoing infrastructural advancements.
“Africa’s future lies in the hands of its entrepreneurs,” Elumelu said. “When we empower our young people, support small and medium enterprises, and ensure access to electricity, education, and digital tools, we unlock the true potential of our continent.”
The Abuja Business and Investment Expo 2025, convened by AICL, attracted over 1,000 high-level participants from 40 countries, including investors, policymakers, diplomats, financiers, and industry leaders.
