The world of big business converged at the International Convention Centre, Awka on Thursday, September 7 for the Anambra Investment Summit (ANINVEST). The signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) with high net-worth business concerns was the high point of the momentous event.
The MOUs were signed with requisite timelines and cognate deliverables. Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, presided over a summit like no other in which his vision of delivering a liveable and prosperous homeland earned resounding endorsement of organisations from diverse economic sectors.
A collaborative MOU was signed with AfreximBank on financing viable infrastructure projects on a scale of up to $200m. It will entail jointly evaluating the opportunities with Anambra Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) to prioritize the strategic projects from project preparation funding and development to bankability.
A consultancy contract MOU was entered into for Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City Masterplan Development. The engagement contract was signed with the President of Mahindra Consulting Engineers Limited. This involves the development of the feasibility study, masterplan and outline business case as well as the production of governance policy documents and regulations for the project.
An engagement contract for Anambra Intra-City Rail was signed with the senior executive of CPCS Canada that had undertaken five jobs in Nigeria through varying stages, from design to execution. The delivery of the Anambra Intra-City Rail will connect Awka, Ekwulobia, Nnewi and Onitsha.
It’s worthy of celebration signing the MOU of co-promoter and anchor agreement with OMAA/Kojo Motors for the AUU Automotive Industrial Park. The equity investment is geared to develop the AUU Automotive Industrial Park. OMAA aims to set up a world-class auto assembly plant to produce CNG-powered and electric mass transit vehicles at the AUU Automotive Industrial Park.
Anchor agreements have been signed with Evans Pharmaceuticals and Dozzy Group to set up pharmaceutical manufacturing and other allied businesses at Pharmaceutical Industrial Park, Ogboji.
A crucial MOU was signed with the CEO of Sundry Markets Limited for the development of Awka Shopping Mall through a Joint Venture Partnership. The promoter restated his commitment to complete the Awka Shopping Mall within 15 months.
For the Neni Water Scheme, a Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) MOU was signed with the President-General of Neni Community and the CEO of Birsal Water Limited. This is a flagship PPCP project aimed at catalysing other communities to emulate the good work done by ndi-Neni.
A collaborative MOU was signed with NKO Agro Park CEO on developing regenerative agriculture, agro processing and agro institute. It is based on a recommendation from the draft PWC forensic audit on ANSIPPA MOUs. The promoter had deposited $1.5M in a no-interest yielding account since 2016 as per the instructions from ANSIPPA. The promoter is willing to invest the funds and more in Anambra State, and is ready to commit to investing in yam and cassava cultivation and processing. The promoter is setting up an agriculture training institute, and is a proposed anchor for the Anambra Export Emporium.
The Green Village Electricity (GVE) Joint Venture Partnership MOU was signed with the CEO of Green Village Energy on power distribution to underserved communities in Nzam area while utilizing renewable energy sources. GVE Solar Hybrid Isolated Mini-Grid project will develop a 2MW Solar IPP to provide uninterrupted power supply to 10 communities in Anambra West LGA.
The MOU was signed with Universal Elysium Ltd for the development of Onitsha River Port and the dredging the River Niger to improve the viability of the Port. The dredging will help tackle the issue of seasonal flooding in numerous communities in Anambra State.
Governor Soludo gave the assurance of Anambra State’s willingness to partner with more investors on “bankable projects.” Mr. Governor informed the guests that Anambra has the highest population density per square kilometre in Nigeria. He also stressed that Anambra ranks as the number one out of the 17 southern states of Nigeria on the ease of doing business. He described Anambra State as a “locational hub.”
The Chairman of AfreximBank, Dr. Benedict Oramah, represented by Executive Vice-President Kanayo Awani, in his keynote speech highlighted the fact that Governor Soludo has ushered in a new lease of life into the state’s growth trajectory, stating the readiness of AfreximBank to partner with Anambra State in a $400 million dollar industrial city project to bring export-oriented businesses into the state.
The Managing Director of ANSIPPA, Mr. Mark Okoye implored multi-faceted investors “to seize the wealth of investment opportunities and boundless opportunities in the state.”
The Anambra Investment Summit which had the theme “Laying the Foundation for a Prosperous and Smart Mega City” featured panel discussions on “Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones”, “Unlocking Financing for Bankable Infrastructure Projects”, “Gas and Sustainable Energy Technology”, “Innovation and Business Incubation”, and “Role of Corporate Governance in Building Sustainable Businesses.”
The Summit was graced by Deputy Governor Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Captains of Industry, the Resident Coordinator of United Nations in Nigeria Mr. Mathias Schmale, World Bank Country Director Shubham Chaudhuri, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. CUI Jianchun, Minister of Women Affairs Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, Chairperson Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi Chapter, Lady Ada Chukwudozie etc.
SIR PAUL NWOSU, Commissioner for Information, Anmabra State.
