Asaba targets logistics dominance, charts transition to private sector-led growth

The city of Asaba is aggressively moving to leverage its strategic position as the primary gateway between Nigeria’s South-South and South-East regions, following a high-level economic summit designed to pivot the Delta State capital away from its historical dependence on the civil service.

The Asaba Economic Summit, held on 26 December 2025, served as a platform for institutional investors, traditional custodians, and policy architects to outline a roadmap for transforming the city into a premier industrial and tech-driven hub.

Central to the summit’s discussion was the emphasis on Asaba’s unique geographical location, serving as a bridge between the South-South and South-East regions, which provides an unparalleled logistics advantage.  Situated at the nexus of the Niger, the city is being repositioned as the engine room for a “retail and logistics revolution.”

Stakeholders at the event also noted the importance of the recently upgraded Asaba International Airport, and the city’s immediate proximity to the Onitsha commercial axis provides a rare, ready-made ecosystem for a private-sector takeover.

Read also: How Nigeria’s broken logistics system is quietly taxing every business

This vision is being anchored by the promotion of “bankable” projects, most notably the Asaba Industrial Park and a proposed agro-processing zone, both intended to harness the state’s significant youthful demographic.

The Asagba of Asaba, Epiphany Azinge, whose leadership has been pivotal in aligning community interests with capital requirements, emphasised that the city’s economic evolution depends on a seamless synergy between tradition and modern governance.

In a move to de-risk the investment climate—a primary concern for foreign and local investors alike—the monarch committed the community to providing stringent land and security guarantees.

Azinge noted that for the city to reach its full economic potential, there must be a protective environment for capital, stating that the community is ready to ensure that any investment made in the city is both protected and profitable.

“We are committed to transforming Asaba into a global investment hub where innovation meets tradition,” Azinge said. “Our focus is to create an enabling environment that invites the world to see the untapped wealth of our land and the ingenuity of our people.”

Azinge’s speech underscored a growing trend among sub-national entities in Nigeria: the use of traditional institutions to provide the social license and stability required for long-term infrastructure projects.

Read also: Nigeria unveils West Africa’s first Grade-A logistics hub as TY Park targets $11bn market

The summit also addressed the “Enuani” diaspora, advocating for a “think home” investment philosophy that encourages indigenes to transition from consumption-based remittances to equity-based participation in local growth.

Discussions expanded beyond theoretical frameworks to practical applications in high-growth sectors, including digital technology, hospitality, and luxury waterfront infrastructure along the River Niger.

The event concluded with the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between community representatives and private investors, signalling a concrete start to a journey that leaders hope will serve as a template for grassroots-led metropolitan development across the federation.

By fostering a transparent and business-friendly environment at the local level, Asaba is positioning itself not just as an administrative centre but as a diversified economic hub.

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